The Delhi High Court directed YouTuber and journalist Shyam Meera Singh to delete the video made by him on Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
During the hearing today, Justice Jasmeet Singh held that the video is a prima facie defamation against Ram Rahim since it does not contain disclaimer about the sources of the allegations made. Subsequently, the High Court passed the order and directed Shyam Meera Singh to delete the video from all social media platforms within 24 hours.
However, the Delhi High Court clarified that YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh can make a fresh video giving disclaimer that certain parts of the video were taken from trial court orders and a book written by another journalist.
Past month, Shyam Meera Singh uploaded the video titled, How Gurmeet Ram Rahim fooled his followers? After the video was uploaded on YouTube, Gurmeet Ram Rahim sued Shyam Meera Singh for defamation. He asserted that the video was an effort to prejudice his appeal that is coming for hearing before the High Court.
Meanwhile, YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh told the Delhi High Court that the video was sourced from the trial court orders and the book, Dera Sacha Sauda and Gurmeet: A Decade-long Investigation by journalist Anurag Tripathi.
The YouTuber further contended that the video is a journalist work and Gurmeet Ram Rahim has not taken any action against Anurag Tripathi even though his book has been in public domain since 2018.
Earlier, the YouTuber alleged that owing to the opposite party, he has been forced to put the video on private mode for 2 days. Responding to the allegation, the bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh stated that the tweet is unfair, adding that the court does not force anybody.
The bench stated that putting the video on private mode was a concession and also pointed out that it was the YouTuber’s advocate who had suggested putting the video in Private Mode. Following, the Court had directed that the video will stay in private mode till January 10.