New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued takedown notices to two media houses and several prominent YouTube channels, directing the removal of 138 videos and 83 Instagram posts that mentioned the Adani Group.
The move comes after an ex parte order dated September 6 by the North West Delhi district court in a defamation case filed by Adani Enterprises. The court had asked a number of journalists and activists — including Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das, and Ayush Joshi — to delete content that allegedly defamed the conglomerate.
While the order applied to specific individuals, the I&B ministry’s September 16 notice extended compliance to media platforms and creators who were not party to the case. The Wire confirmed receiving a notice for a solitary Instagram post that referenced allegations by the US Securities and Exchange Commission against Adani Group. Other platforms and personalities named include Newslaundry, Ravish Kumar, Ajit Anjum, Dhruv Rathee, and Akash Banerjee (Deshbhakt).
Several flagged posts did not involve new reportage or commentary. For example, one Newslaundry video listed was a subscription appeal that only displayed a screenshot of an article on the Adani Group.
“The publications had failed to take action in the timeframe stipulated by the court order. Accordingly, you are directed to take appropriate action for compliance of the aforementioned Order, and submit the action taken to the Ministry within 36 hours,” the ministry’s communication stated.
Copies of the notice were also sent to Meta Platforms Inc. and Google Inc., seeking their cooperation in enforcing the order.
The action marks another chapter in the escalating legal and regulatory scrutiny around digital content concerning the Adani Group, raising fresh concerns over press freedom, content moderation, and the scope of court-mandated takedowns in India’s media landscape.
