The Delhi High Court has issued a landmark directive aimed at curbing a burgeoning digital misinformation campaign, ordering the immediate removal of pervasive online content that falsely accused the Chief Justice of India (CJI), numerous Supreme Court and High Court judges, and several Union Ministers of misusing public funds for a badminton tournament in London. Justice Tejas Karia, presiding over the case, underscored the gravity of the situation, noting that the content—which claimed these high-ranking constitutional figures participated in the “2nd International Bar and Bench Badminton Championship” at the taxpayer’s expense—was not merely inaccurate but was clearly designed to undermine public confidence in the Indian justice delivery system. The court characterized the campaign as a systematic attempt to malign the reputation of constitutional institutions.
To halt the spread of these fabricated reports, the court ordered the Union Government to invoke its powers under the Information Technology Act, 2000. This mandate requires all digital intermediaries—including social media platforms, search engines, web-hosting services, and ISPs—to remove, block, and de-index the identified material along with any substantially similar versions within a 24-hour timeframe. Beyond the platforms themselves, the court issued a blanket restraint against the public, strictly prohibiting the sharing, uploading, or circulation of the content on any digital media outlet. The court has listed the matter for a compliance review on July 17, 2026, signaling a long-term commitment to ensuring the digital ecosystem remains cleared of this misinformation.
The legal action was initiated following a petition filed by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), which expressed deep concern over the damage inflicted on the reputation of the legal fraternity and the sport of badminton itself. Senior Advocate Apoorv Kurup, representing the BAI, argued that the championship in question was a legitimate, bona fide sporting event intended to foster camaraderie among the judiciary and legal professionals, rather than the extravagant excursion painted by social media rumors. The viral campaign had gained significant traction, claiming that nearly 75 judges and various ministers traveled to London, an assertion that the petitioner argued scandalized the judiciary by implying inappropriate ties between the bench and the executive.
The Union Government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, provided forensic clarity to debunk the viral narrative. The government confirmed that the photographs circulating online were not taken in London, but rather at a national-level tournament held in November 2025 at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. Furthermore, official records clarified that neither the CJI nor the cited Union Ministers had traveled to London for any such purpose during the relevant timeframe. It was noted that the only judicial presence in London during that period involved two Allahabad High Court judges, who were there in a strictly personal capacity, thereby invalidating the entire premise of the scandalous reports.
The court did not mince words regarding the nature of the content, which included reports from prominent media outlets like The Print, National Herald, and The Tribune, as well as a high-profile social media post by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi. Justice Karia observed that the material relied on “demonstrably incorrect factual assertions” and misattributed photographs to mislead the public. The court ruled that such content transcended the boundaries of fair criticism or reportage, instead functioning as a malicious attack on the integrity of the state’s key pillars. The court’s ruling asserted that the systematic nature of the campaign suggested a coordinated effort to erode the prestige of the judiciary and the executive branches, necessitating a strong judicial intervention.
In a move to ensure accountability, the High Court further directed the relevant authorities to secure and disclose all subscriber information, IP logs, and financial details of those responsible for originating and uploading the false content. By demanding the preservation of this metadata within one week, the court has paved the way for potential civil and criminal legal action against the perpetrators of the misinformation campaign. Justice Karia concluded the order by emphasizing that the protection of the administration of justice from such “irreversible damage” is paramount, warning that the court will not tolerate the use of digital platforms to manufacture scandals that threaten the foundational faith the public places in its constitutional institutions.
