A Delhi court has summoned YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Karamshi Nakhua, as reported by Bar and Bench. Nakhua, a spokesperson for the Mumbai unit of the BJP, alleged that Rathee referred to him as a “violent and abusive” troll in one of his YouTube videos.
The summons was issued by District Judge Gunjan Gupta of the Saket Court on July 19. The court also issued a notice to Rathee regarding Nakhua’s plea for interim relief, scheduling the next hearing for August 6.
In his plea, Nakhua claimed that Rathee made “bold and unsubstantiated claims” in the video, which labeled him as part of “violent and abusive trolls.” Nakhua argued that these allegations were baseless and could harm his reputation.
The court’s order stated:
“Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application u/o 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes i.e. PF & RC/Speed Post/ Approved Courier including electronic mode for 06.08.2024. Process be also given dasti, as prayed.”
Nakhua further accused Rathee of conducting a deliberate campaign to tarnish his integrity and reputation through the video. He asserted that the false allegations had the potential to cause significant personal and professional damage.
“That through this cunningly crafted video, a deliberate campaign to besmirch the Plaintiff’s (Suresh Karamshi Nakhua) integrity and reputation is apparent, as baseless accusations and malicious connections are artfully insinuated. The primary creator of this video that is Plaintiff seek not only to cast doubt on the Plaintiff’s character but also to tarnish his hard-earned standing in society, has planted seeds of suspicion and mistrust that can have far-reaching consequences. The repercussions of such false allegations are manifold, extending well beyond the realm of the video itself to irrevocably impact both the personal and professional domains of the Plaintiff, leaving scars that may never fully heal.”