The Delhi High Court has directed social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to remove several "highly offensive and communal" posts targeting Muhammad Ali Khan, a leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), and his wife. A single-judge Bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani observed that the posts in question were prima facie defamatory and had the potential to incite communal discord.
The court's order came in response to a lawsuit filed by Khan, who alleged that a series of coordinated posts were being circulated to malign his reputation and target his family based on their religious identity. The petitioner argued that the content was not only a personal attack but also a violation of the "community standards" regarding hate speech and harassment.
Justice Bhambhani emphasized that while the right to free speech is a fundamental cornerstone of democracy, it does not provide a "blanket license" to engage in targeted communal vilification or to invade the privacy of individuals. The Court noted that the platform has a "positive obligation" to act once such content is brought to its notice, especially when it involves sensitive personal information and inflammatory rhetoric.
The High Court has also issued notices to the anonymous account holders responsible for the original posts, directing X to provide their basic subscriber information (BSI) to the Court in a sealed cover. This move is part of an increasing judicial trend to hold "faceless" social media trolls accountable for digital harassment.
This ruling reinforces the legal principle that social media intermediaries must act swiftly to moderate content that crosses the line from political criticism into communal targeting. By ordering the immediate deletion of these posts, the Delhi High Court has sought to protect the dignity of the individuals involved and prevent the further escalation of online hostility. The case is scheduled for further hearing in July 2026 to monitor compliance and decide on permanent injunctions.