Bombay HC Directs X Corp To Remove Fresh Video Against Adar Poonawalla, Issues Show-Cause Notices

On September 30, 2026, the Bombay High Court directed X Corp to remove a newly posted video containing objectionable and defamatory content against Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla. Additionally, the court issued show-cause notices to four defendants for allegedly disregarding a previous court order. Justice Gauri Godse issued the directive on September 29, mandating the social media platform to take down the video uploaded by influencer Yohan Tengra.

The court also addressed Tengra and three others, asking for justification for their failure to comply with the June 5, 2023 order. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 27.

The court previously ordered the defendants to refrain from publishing or disseminating defamatory content against Poonawalla and the Serum Institute, and instructed them to remove the offending material and offer an unconditional apology. However, Tengra uploaded another video on the same night, asserting his refusal to abide by the injunction.

The fresh video continued to feature objectionable content and accused Poonawalla of being a "mass murderer." Despite this, the court maintained that the earlier injunction remained enforceable, as there was no evidence presented before it suggesting that the order had been dismissed, overturned, or withdrawn.

In its decision, the court limited its directions to specific, identifiable content, rather than granting a general mandate for the removal of future material or the suspension or deletion of the defendants' social media accounts. The court emphasized that intermediaries cannot act as arbiters or censors and held that directions to an intermediary must address the court-identified material found to be objectionable or unlawful.

Notably, the court also observed that Tengra's alleged defiance of the 2023 order could result in legal consequences under Order XXXIX Rule 2A of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). This provision outlines the ramifications and penalties associated with the disobedience or breach of a temporary injunction or interim order.