# Fake law firm and Google id used to target Vantara journalists 2026-08-13T20:31:35+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet An unknown entity created a fake law firm, Aspire Law Firm, using the biography of cyber law expert Puneet Bhasin, and a fake Google support email to intimidate journalists who reported critically on Reliance-backed Vantara wildlife centre. The attempt came in June and July 2025, before the Supreme Court gave Vantara a clean chit on September 15 based on a Special Investigation Team report. The takedown efforts targeted Indian outlets like NorthEast Now and Down To Earth, and international media in Africa, Brazil, the Czech Republic and Germany. In the only case where content temporarily vanished from Google search, a fake DMCA complaint against the Pulitzer Center's republication of a Himal Southasian investigation led to a delay in reappearance. The source of the coordinated threats remains unidentified. ## Coverage - thenewsminute.com Tags: DMCA abuse, fake law firm, media intimidation, Reliance Industries, Supreme Court, Vantara Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/fake-law-firm-and-google-id-used-to-target-vantara-journalists/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/fake-law-firm-and-google-id-used-to-target-vantara-journalists/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.