The Bombay High Court on Thursday observed that access to social media does not entitle anyone to post defamatory content, including against celebrities. The court was hearing a plea by Bollywood actor Salman Khan against his Panvel farmhouse neighbour, Ketan Kakkad, who had uploaded videos and content allegedly defaming the actor.
Court's Observations
Justice Sharmila Deshmukh, presiding over a single bench, questioned why individuals choose to upload such content on social media instead of addressing their grievances with the appropriate authorities. "Just because one has access to social media does not mean they can upload videos about any person, whether a common citizen or a celebrity, merely to defame them. Why upload such videos on social media?" she remarked.
The Dispute
Ketan Kakkad, who owns property adjoining Khan's farmhouse in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, had alleged that the actor violated environmental norms during construction and blocked access to his property. Kakkad claimed he approached authorities but no action was taken. In response, Khan filed a defamation suit, asserting that the posts were defamatory and communally provocative.
Khan sought a court directive for Kakkad to remove the videos and cease making such comments. After a civil court refused, Khan approached the High Court.
Judicial Efficiency
The bench also expressed concern about judicial time being wasted on determining whether a social media post is defamatory. The court suggested Kakkad consider deleting the content and adjourned the matter to July 6 for further hearing.
This case underscores the legal boundaries of social media usage and the protection of reputation, even for public figures.
