The Delhi High Court on Thursday (May 29, 2025) directed YouTuber Mohak Mangal to remove specific portions of his video targeting news agency ANI, in which he used terms such as “hafta wasooli” (extortion), “gunda raj”, and “kidnap”.

The direction came during the hearing of a defamation suit filed by ANI over Mr. Mangal’s video titled “Dear ANI”, published on May 25, 2025, on his YouTube channel. In the video, Mr. Mangal criticised ANI’s practice of issuing copyright strikes against content creators.

Justice Amit Bansal, presiding over the matter, observed, “These videos on the face of it are disparaging. You should have put it in a more civilized manner.”

The judge asked the YouTuber, “Let’s say their [ANI’s] demand is wrongful—how could you call it extortion?” The judge further questioned, “How do you justify such language?”

“You [Mr. Mangal] don’t want to take a licence but want to use their videos, which you believe is legally justified. Then why would you come out with these kinds of statements?” the judge added.

Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who was also sued by ANI for amplifying Mr. Mangal’s views, agreed to take down one of his posts on X related to the issue.

However, stand-up comic Kunal Kamra, also named in the suit, agreed to take down only one of his multiple posts on X.

Mr. Kamra’s counsel said his client is a well known satirist, comedian and an advocate for free speech. “He stands up for free speech in his own unique way, putting thing in the public domain,” the counsel said.

“Satire is great. But the phrases you used are ‘mafia’, ‘thugs’… I am all for free speech, but if you are calling someone thugs, this is not Ok. I even went to the extent of condoning the use of word ‘gatiya’, but ‘thugs’ and ‘mafia’ are serious,” Justice Bansal remarked.

The ANI, in its petition, argued that Mr. Mogal’s video has had a “demonstrable adverse impact” on its goodwill, public credibility, and business operations. The agency said the video triggered widespread online harassment and adverse reactions from the public towards it.

The agency pointed out that Mr. Mangal has admitted to using ANI’s copyrighted video content in his own monetized videos.

It said the video reflects a “calculated and malicious attack on the reputation, credibility, and goodwill of the Plaintiff, but also its registered trademarks”.