The Calcutta High Court has ordered social media platforms to remove a documentary examining alleged ties between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani, following a defamation lawsuit by Adani Enterprises.
WEB DESK: India’s Calcutta High Court has ordered social media platforms to remove an online documentary examining alleged links between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani, following a defamation lawsuit filed by Adani Enterprises.
The interim order, issued on Monday, October 26, bars the documentary’s publication and circulation until January 31, 2027, or until further orders. The court directed YouTube, X and Instagram to remove the specified video, clips and related reproductions covered by the order.
The case centres on The Friendship Files, a 36-minute documentary posted by Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia. The film examines the relationship between Modi and Adani and raises questions about the businessman’s commercial dealings and access to government opportunities.
Adani Enterprises files defamation lawsuit
Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Adani Group, approached the court arguing that the documentary contained false and defamatory allegations.
According to Reuters, the company told the court that the film had prompted inquiries from some investors. It described the documentary as a dramatised narrative that omitted material facts and said its legal action was not intended to prevent constructive criticism of government policies or business concentration.
The court’s order characterised the documentary as a dramatised narrative rather than a news report or an account of legal proceedings.
The injunction also restrains Bhatia from distributing the film. Social media platforms have been directed to remove or disable access to the specified posts and related reproductions.
Documentary examines Modi-Adani relationship
The film uses archival footage to trace the relationship between Modi and Adani, who both come from the western Indian state of Gujarat.
It also examines Adani’s successful bids for six airports in 2019, following a change in government rules that critics have argued benefited his company.
Opposition politicians have repeatedly accused Modi’s government of favouring Adani. Both the Indian government and the Adani Group have denied allegations of preferential treatment, maintaining that applicable rules were followed. The allegations remain contested and should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing.
Court order extends to social media platforms
The court directed YouTube, X and Instagram to remove the specified documentary and covered clips, excerpts and materially identical reproductions from accounts and pages under their control.
The platforms were also directed to preserve relevant account registration details and access logs and provide information about certain accounts as required by the order.
The interim restrictions will remain in place until January 31, 2027, unless modified or withdrawn earlier. Further hearings are expected in January.
The court clarified that the order does not prohibit constructive criticism or fair reporting about Adani, the Adani Group or government policy, provided such material does not involve the disputed video or the specific allegedly defamatory statements covered by the case.
Bhatia challenges the legal action
Bhatia, who is based in the United States, said on X that the lawsuit seeks 500 million rupees, equivalent to approximately $5.25 million, in damages.
He defended his position publicly, while Adani Enterprises maintained that the documentary contained false claims. Reuters reported that the company, Modi’s office, Bhatia and the social media companies did not respond to its requests for comment on the court proceedings.
Before the court issued its interim order, Maharashtra police had also sent a takedown notice concerning the documentary, describing its allegations as unsubstantiated.
The film had attracted millions of views and was shared by political opponents of Modi. Its circulation subsequently became the subject of legal and regulatory action.
