Introduction:

On March 12, 2025, the Delhi High Court addressed a defamation suit filed by Isha Foundation against YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh, concerning his video titled “Sadhguru EXPOSED: What’s happening in Jaggi Vasudev’s Ashram,” uploaded on February 24, 2025. The video, which garnered significant attention with 937,000 views, 65,000 likes, and 13,000 comments, alleged misconduct involving minors at the Isha Foundation’s ashram.

Plaintiff’s Arguments:

Represented by Advocate Yajat Gulia, Isha Foundation contended that Singh’s video contained unfounded and defamatory allegations that tarnished the reputation of both the foundation and its founder, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. They argued that the video’s content was based on unverified information and presented misleading narratives, leading to public misinformation and potential harm to the foundation’s standing. The foundation sought an interim injunction to have the video removed from all platforms to prevent further dissemination of the allegedly defamatory content.

Defendant’s Arguments:

Shyam Meera Singh maintained that his video was a product of investigative journalism, aiming to shed light on practices within the Isha Foundation that he believed were in the public interest. He claimed to have accessed internal emails suggesting inappropriate conduct during initiation processes involving minors. Singh asserted that his intention was not to defame but to inform the public about these purported practices, emphasizing the role of journalism in holding organizations accountable.

Court’s Judgment:

Presiding over the case, Justice Subramonium Prasad issued an interim order directing platforms such as Google LLC, X Corp, and Meta Platforms to remove the contentious video. The court also prohibited Singh and his associates from publishing or sharing the video or any similar defamatory content. Furthermore, the court restrained the public from uploading the said video on any social media platform. The judge emphasized the need to balance freedom of expression with the protection of individual reputations, especially when allegations are serious and potentially harmful. The court scheduled the next hearing for the interim relief application on May 9, 2025, with the main suit set for July 9, 2025.