Calcutta HC Instructs Social Media Platforms To Restrict Video Of Dabur India's Real Fruit Juice Featuring Dhruv Rathee

Recently, the Calcutta High Court instructed social media platforms including YouTube to restrict public access to a video featuring well-known content creator Dhruv Rathee, where he allegedly spoke negatively about Dabur India's Real fruit juice. The court found that Rathee's comments crossed the line and denigrated the product by comparing it unfavorably to fresh fruit juices and implying it negatively affects health and hair growth, especially in children.

The judge also observed that the video featured slides from a previous advertisement by Dabur and made a clear reference to Real. The court had already directed Rathee on March 15 to remove the relevant part of the video. The court further added that Rathee's actions violated the provisions of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and the Copyright Act, 1957 by publishing and sharing the video.

However, during a subsequent hearing on March 24, it was revealed that the video in question is still being broadcasted on Rathee's channel, despite the previous court order. In light of the potentially significant harm caused by the video, the Court expressed its concern that compliance has not been met and stated: Considering the immeasurable damage that the video in question may cause, I believe that the balance of convenience and the possibility of irreparable harm strongly support the issuance of further orders. Therefore, the respondents are instructed to remove, take down, block, and restrict access to the impugned video from all URL/Web Links. The matter will be heard again on March 30.