Now Reading: Bombay HC orders X to remove video against Serum Institute, Poonawalla
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Bombay HC orders X to remove video against Serum Institute, Poonawalla
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday, 29 September, directed X Corp to remove a video posted by influencer Yohan Tengra against Serum Institute of India (SII) and its CEO Adar Poonawalla. Justice Gauri Godse noted that Tengra uploaded the fresh video on the same night the court had restrained him on 5 June 2023 from publishing defamatory content, and that he stated he would continue to call Poonawalla a ‘mass murderer’.
The court issued show-cause notices to Tengra, his organisation Anarchy for Freedom India, Ambar Koiri and TV 10 L.I.V.E, returnable on 27 October, for allegedly defying the earlier order. Advocate Karl Tamboly for SII argued that X was obligated to remove the content. X’s advocate Mayur Khandeparkar said the plaintiffs should initiate contempt proceedings against the defendants instead.
Justice Godse observed that no previous directions had been issued to X, so it could not be held liable for the content. However, citing a Supreme Court judgment, she held that sufficient grounds existed to direct the platform to remove the fresh video. X had earlier refused a takedown notice, stating the 2023 order was not directed at it.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both sources offer straight, neutral coverage of the Bombay High Court’s order against X Corp. Times of India leads with the directive to X, while LiveLaw leads with the labelling of SII as ‘mass murderers’ and the vaccine context. Both quote Justice Godse’s finding that Tengra defied the court and repeated the allegations. LiveLaw includes more detail on Tengra’s and his advocate’s contemptuous remarks against a judge, which Times of India omits. The coverage is uniform in its core facts, the difference is one of emphasis. The next step is the show-cause notice returnable on 27 October.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), livelaw.in (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
