Delhi HC Asks FB, Google to Remove Posts Against Subodh Gupta

Artist Subodh Gupta files a defamation against an anonymous Instagram handle that accused him of sexual harassment.

The high profile contemporary artists has called the claims “entirely false and fabricated”.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Artist Subodh Gupta, who was accused of sexual harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement last yea,r has filed a defamation case against an anonymous Instagram account.

He was accused on Instagram by an anonymous account called ‘HerdSceneAnd’.

According to News 18, the Delhi High court on Monday asked Facebook, Instagram, and Google to take down all the URLs that contained defamatory content against the artist. He is also seeking 'token' damages of Rs 5 crore.

“It appears that the allegations as made in the allegedly defamatory contents, cannot be permitted to be made in public domain/published without being backed by legal recourse. The same if permitted, is capable of mischief.”

The court said. 

The court has directed Google to take down a list of URLs from its search results where the allegations were made against him. Instagram was also directed to provide details of the "person/entity" running the account to the court in a "sealed cover".

Ever since the court’s decision, social media has erupted with concerns about the implication of revealing a survivor’s identity.

Facebook will remove the posts from Instagram and will reveal the identity of the survivor in the next court hearing scheduled for 18 November.