YouTube blocks Dhruv Rathee video in India, global ban unresolved: Delhi High Court told

The Delhi High Court was informed on Tuesday that YouTube has withheld a video uploaded by social media commentator Dhruv Rathee in India, following allegations that the content was defamatory and hurt religious sentiments. The submission was made by Google, which owns YouTube, before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

The court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who has sought the removal of the video. According to Ms. Sachdeva, the video was uploaded on March 21 and received millions of views. She alleged that it contained false and provocative statements about Lord Shri Ram, Lord Krishna, and Goddess Sita.

Google's counsel told the court that the video had been withheld in India pursuant to an order by the Centre's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC). The counsel clarified that the restriction currently applies only to India, while the question of a global block is pending before a Division Bench of the High Court.

Ms. Sachdeva, however, argued that the GAC had on July 15 directed Google to take down the video within 24 hours. She said the platform's decision to merely withhold it in India amounted to partial compliance with that order.

Justice Sharma noted that the issue of a global injunction was already before the Division Bench. "Whatever they could do, they have already done," the court observed, posting the matter for further hearing on September 3.

According to the petition, Ms. Sachdeva filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell on March 22, followed by a grievance with YouTube's Resident Grievance Officer on March 23. After YouTube declined to remove the video, saying it could not identify any violations of its community guidelines, she approached the GAC on March 27.

The petition claims that despite the Information Technology Rules requiring appeals to be resolved expeditiously, preferably within 30 days, the appeal remained pending for over two and a half months. On July 3, the High Court directed the GAC to decide her grievance within 15 days. She later filed an application alleging non-compliance with that direction.

The case highlights the continuing legal scrutiny of online content regulation in India, particularly regarding the balance between free expression and claims of religious offense. The High Court's observation that Google has done what it could suggests that the immediate focus remains on the pending decision about a global block.