Kerala High Court Denies Petition to Remove Defamatory Video on YouTube

The Kerala High Court dismissed a petition requesting YouTube to remove a defamatory video against the Marthoma Church and its Bishop, uploaded by ‘i2i News.’

The petitioner argued the video was defamatory and posed a risk to public order. YouTube contended it could only remove content based on court or government orders under Section 79 of the IT Act.

The Court upheld YouTube’s position by citing Shreya Singhal v UOI, ruling intermediaries like YouTube cannot be forced to remove content without legal orders.

The petition was dismissed for lack of evidence and judicial or governmental directives.