Court allows Nitin Jairam Gadkari to file suit seeking injunction and damages for defamatory content on digital platforms.
In a significant legal development, the Bombay High Court, on July 27, 2026, granted permission to Nitin Jairam Gadkari to proceed with a defamation suit against Meta Platform Inc. and others. The suit seeks a permanent injunction, the removal of alleged defamatory and deep fake content, and damages for the harm caused to Gadkari's reputation.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Abhay Ahuja allowed the petition under Clause XII of the Bombay High Court (Letters Patent) Act, 1866. This clause permits the Court to entertain a suit when the cause of action arises partially within and outside its jurisdiction. The Court's decision was based on the premise that the dissemination of the defamatory content occurred on digital platforms operated by the defendants, impacting Gadkari's reputation both within and beyond the jurisdiction of the Court.
Represented by Advocate Mr. Sandeep S. Ladda, Gadkari argued that the defamatory content was published and circulated on digital platforms owned by Meta, causing significant injury to his reputation and goodwill. Mr. Ladda emphasized that while the substantial part of the cause of action arose within the Court's jurisdiction, the accessibility and viewability of the content outside the jurisdiction made it imperative for the Court to grant leave to file the suit.
The Court, after reviewing the Leave Petition and relevant parts of the proposed Plaint, agreed with the arguments presented. Justice Ahuja noted that the reasons outlined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Plaint justified granting leave under Clause XII, thereby allowing Gadkari to institute the suit in the Bombay High Court.
This decision paves the way for further legal proceedings against Meta Platforms, highlighting the challenges digital platforms face regarding jurisdictional issues and the spread of defamatory content. The Court's ruling underscores the importance of addressing reputational harm in the digital age and sets a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Bottom Line:
Clause XII of the Bombay High Court (Letters Patent) Act, 1866 - Leave granted by the Court to institute a suit for permanent injunction, removal of defamatory and deep fake content, and damages where the cause of action arises partially within and outside the jurisdiction of the Court.
Statutory provision(s): Letters Patent Act, 1866 Clause XII
Nitin Jairam Gadkari v. Meta Platform Inc., (Bombay) : Law Finder Doc id # 2954966
