The Delhi High Court has ordered the central government’s Grievance Appellate Committee to resolve an appeal against a YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee within 15 days. The direction came on July 3, 2026, in response to a petition challenging the video’s continued availability.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the order while hearing a petition by advocate Amita Sachdeva. She argued that the video, uploaded on March 21, 2026, contains statements that are “patently false, misleading and deliberately distorted” and could promote communal disharmony.
The court noted that Sachdeva had filed grievances with YouTube and later appealed to the Grievance Appellate Committee under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on March 27, 2026. The appeal had remained pending beyond the expected 30-day period.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma supported removal of the video, while Google’s counsel confirmed that an appeal was already before the committee. The court warned that any failure to comply would be viewed seriously. Parallel proceedings continue in Saket Courts, where a magistrate sought an action report from Delhi Police on June 9.
