Introduction:

In a recent legal development, Reckitt Benckiser (India) Limited, the manufacturer of Dettol products, filed a defamation suit against dermatologist Dr. Manjot Marwah and social media influencers Raj Shamani and Ritik Chaturvedi. The suit alleged that Dr. Marwah made defamatory remarks about Dettol antiseptic liquid during a podcast hosted by Raj Shamani on his YouTube channel, “FiguringOut.Co.” Additionally, an Instagram reel titled “Never Use Dettol on Your Skin” was posted by Shamani and Marwah, with Chaturvedi reposting the content.

Arguments Presented:

Reckitt Benckiser’s Position:

Reckitt contended that Dr. Marwah’s statements were defamatory and misleading, asserting that Dettol antiseptic liquid is intended solely for floor cleaning and not for medicinal use. They emphasized that as a dermatologist, Dr. Marwah should understand the distinction between antiseptics and disinfectants. Reckitt maintained that their antiseptic liquid is safe for use on human skin, and the claims made in the podcast and reel were baseless and potentially damaging to their brand reputation.

Defense by Dr. Marwah, Shamani, and Chaturvedi:

In response, Raj Shamani’s counsel informed the court of his willingness to edit the podcast to remove the segment containing references to Dettol antiseptic liquid. Dr. Marwah’s counsel stated that she had already deleted the contentious Instagram reel from her account. Similarly, Chaturvedi confirmed the removal of the reel from his Instagram handle. These actions indicated their intent to resolve the matter amicably.

Court’s Judgment:

Justice Saurabh Banerjee of the Delhi High Court acknowledged the settlement reached between the parties. The court directed Raj Shamani to edit the impugned video within 24 hours to remove the segment referencing Dettol antiseptic liquid and prohibited him from re-uploading the removed content. Furthermore, Dr. Marwah and Chaturvedi were instructed to adhere to the terms of the settlement agreement, effectively resolving the dispute.