Saket collapse: Delhi HC orders removal of posts against judge

The Delhi High Court has intervened decisively, ordering major social media platforms including Meta, Google, X, and LinkedIn to immediately remove 'scandalous' posts accusing a sitting judge of culpability in the recent Saket building collapse. This urgent directive comes in response to a criminal contempt petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association against psychologist and activist Dr. Kapil Kakar, whose videos falsely attributed the May 30 tragedy to judicial corruption and misconduct. The court's swift action underscores a growing judicial intolerance for unsubstantiated online attacks threatening the integrity of India's judiciary. This latest development intensifies the broader debate around judicial sanctity in the digital age, as the Delhi High Court highlighted an alarming frequency of personal attacks on judges via social media. Dr. Kakar's allegations, claiming the judge dismissed a plea against illegal construction due to a 'corrupt nexus', were explicitly refuted by the DHCBA, which clarified that a previous petition was merely withdrawn on technical grounds. The Saket collapse itself, which tragically killed six, is under investigation for extensive illegal construction by owner Karamveer, who was allegedly planning additional floors, with the builder, Manish, currently absconding. The court's ruling sets a critical precedent for social media intermediaries, emphasizing their statutory obligation to proactively police and remove content deemed contemptuous or defamatory without waiting for explicit judicial orders. While Meta has already committed to compliance, the onus is now on other platforms to demonstrate immediate adherence. The case is slated for further hearing in July, during which the court may explore more stringent measures, potentially including the blocking of accounts, signaling a hardening stance against unchecked online vilification of judicial officers.