Calcutta High Court bans video on Modi-Adani until 2027

The Calcutta High Court has ordered YouTube, X, and Instagram to disable access to a video essay about Prime Minister Modi and Adani Group in a Rs. 50 Crore defamation case. Justice Aryak Dutt passed the ad-interim injunction on 26 October 2026 in a suit filed by Adani Enterprises Limited against content creator Sabeer Bhatia and the social media platforms.

The court directed the platforms to remove the content from all accounts, preserve user logs and advertisement revenue records, and submit compliance affidavits within two weeks. It cited a Supreme Court precedent on caution in defamation cases involving public interest. The order remains in force until 31 January 2027 or until further orders.

Injunction targets specific video and its reproductions

The court ordered platforms to block the 36-minute video essay titled "How Modi and Adani Stole India | The Friendship Files." It barred Sabeer Bhatia from re-sharing it. Adani Enterprises filed the defamation suit over the video, which was uploaded on October 9 and created by Bhatia in collaboration with "Shadow Citizens."

The court held the case fell into an exceptional category requiring a pre-trial injunction. It described the video as a dramatized narrative containing imputations of theft and false allegations about narcotics smuggling, terror funding, and police violence without evidence. The restraint was stated to be prima facie and confined only to this specific video and its materially identical reproductions. The court clarified the order does not restrict constructive criticism or fair reporting on the Adani Group or government policy.

Platforms implement compliance measures

Intermediaries were directed to preserve IP logs at upload and access logs for unidentified anonymous accounts. They must submit this user information in a sealed cover within two weeks of receiving the order.

Platforms were also instructed to preserve advertisement revenue records. They must not run ads or share revenue for the blocked URLs until further orders.

Video circulation continues despite legal orders

The video was initially geo-blocked on YouTube in India following a government complaint under the IT Rules, 2021. Sabeer Bhatia then reposted it on Google Drive, iCloud, and on X on 22 October 2026. Circulation and reposting across various social media platforms continued despite the prior order.

Political and legal reactions intensify

Mumbai police asked X to remove at least 27 posts related to the video essay. Maharashtra politician Raj Thackeray deleted a post about the video after a request from the Mumbai Police Commissioner. It could not be verified if Mumbai Police sent an official legal notice.

Sabeer Bhatia claimed the video received over 4.8 million views on X alone. He condemned the court's judgment, stating it strikes at the very foundation of democracy and threatens free speech. The ruling has been criticized as being against free speech.

The case is listed again on January 31, 2027, before the regular bench under 'Adjourned Motion'.