Mumbai Police ordered X to remove 24 posts discussing a Sabeer Bhatia video essay about Modi-Adani. This follows YouTube's blocking of the original 34-minute video and marks an escalation in content moderation demands on social platforms. The notice, issued under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, avoids naming the individuals involved, citing vague defamation.
How We Got Here
Mumbai Police's October 18, 2026 notice to X came after YouTube already blocked Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia's 34-minute video essay. A follow-up "TOP PRIORITY" notice on October 19, citing the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, targeted three specific URLs from Bhatia's own account.
The Numbers
- Mumbai Police's Cyber Police Station, West Region, issued the initial notice to X's San Francisco and Mumbai offices.
- The first notice, issued by Inspector Sandeep Patil, covered posts from MP Mahua Moitra, journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, and AAP Uttar Pradesh accounts.
- Both notices avoid explicitly naming Modi or Adani, instead referring to "false, misleading, and disparaging statements" about a "well-known company."
- The second notice specifically alleged "unsubstantiated allegation that a private individual/entity is engaged in drug trafficking through a specific port 'to feed' a political party."
- Legal grounds cited include Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, and BNS sections 352 and 356 (criminal defamation, public mischief).
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For Bangalore-based content creators and independent journalists, the expanding scope of "defamation" under BNS raises fresh concerns about freedom of expression on digital platforms.
The Take
Expect these vague "well-known company" notices to proliferate, forcing platforms like X and Meta into a tough spot between legal compliance and user free speech. The real play here is the test of BNS's content moderation powers before it becomes fully enforceable across the board, setting an ominous tone for online discourse.
Source:
MediaNama ↗