Court Issues Interim Injunction Against YouTuber CarryMinati in Karan Johar Defamation Case
A civil court in Mumbai has issued a significant interim order against popular YouTuber Ajey Nagar, widely known by his online persona CarryMinati. The court has directed him to immediately cease posting any content that is "defamatory, vulgar, and abusive" about renowned filmmaker Karan Johar. This legal development follows a lawsuit filed by Johar, who alleges that Nagar and his channel manager, Deepak Char, made damaging statements in videos uploaded to their YouTube channel.
Details of the Legal Complaint and Court Proceedings
In his legal plea, Karan Johar contended through his representatives at DSK Legal that the defendants had created and distributed videos containing highly offensive language and defamatory remarks. These videos, according to Johar, were designed to ridicule him and tarnish the reputation and goodwill he has "painstakingly built over decades" in the film industry. Although Nagar has reportedly taken down the original video, Johar emphasized that it had already garnered millions of views, and the content continues to circulate through reels and short clips on various social media platforms.
On Monday, Civil Judge P.G. Bhosale presided over the case and delivered the interim order after hearing arguments from both sides. The judge noted that "prima facie it appears that the defendant no 1 and 2 (Nagar and Char) have made defamatory statements and used vulgar language against the plaintiff." Consequently, a temporary injunction was granted to prevent further dissemination of such content.
Court Directives and Defendant Responses
The court's order includes several key directives:
- Ajey Nagar (CarryMinati) is prohibited from posting any defamatory, vulgar, or abusive content targeting Karan Johar.
- Social media platforms, specifically Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), are instructed to remove existing videos that contain the objectionable material.
- Other parties named in the lawsuit, including Google and One Hand Clap Media Pvt Ltd, are also subject to the court's scrutiny as the case progresses.
In response to the allegations, Nagar's legal counsel submitted that the YouTuber had already deleted the videos in question. They argued that since the content was removed, there was "no cause of action left" for the lawsuit. However, the court deemed the interim measures necessary due to the ongoing circulation of the material and the potential for further harm to Johar's reputation.
Bro Implications and Industry Context
This case highlights the growing legal challenges at the intersection of digital content creation and personal reputation rights. With social media enabling rapid content spread, even after deletion, original posts can have lasting impacts through shares and re-uploads. The involvement of major platforms like Meta and Google underscores the broader responsibility of tech companies in moderating content that violates legal standards.
Karan Johar, a prominent figure in Bollywood, has built a substantial career as a filmmaker, producer, and television host. Any attacks on his reputation could have professional and personal repercussions. Meanwhile, CarryMinati is one of India's most subscribed YouTubers, known for his comedic and often edgy content, making this a high-profile clash between traditional entertainment and digital media spheres.
The court's interim order will remain in effect as the lawsuit proceeds, with further hearings expected to address the permanent resolution of the dispute. Both parties are likely to present additional evidence and arguments in the coming weeks.
