CALCUTTA HIGH COURT ORDERS REMOVAL OF MODI–ADANI DOCUMENTARY, SETS JANUARY DEADLINE FOR BAN

October 27, 2026

KOLKATA, October 27, 2026 — The Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate removal of a controversial documentary featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani from social media platforms, prohibiting its publication and circulation until January 31, 2027, or until further orders.

The interim injunction was issued on Monday by Justice Aryak Dutt following a petition filed by Adani Enterprises Limited against technology entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia and others. The company sought restrictions on the documentary's circulation, alleging that it contained defamatory statements.

The court directed the respondents, including the operators of YouTube, X and Instagram, to remove the video and any clips, excerpts or reproductions containing the allegedly defamatory material. The platforms were also instructed to disable access to specified URLs and prevent further circulation through reposts, shares and similar engagements.

Additionally, the court directed the social media companies to preserve relevant account registration details, subscriber information, IP logs and access records associated with the identified accounts and URLs. Where account holders could not be identified, the platforms were instructed to submit basic subscriber information in a sealed cover within two weeks of receiving the order.

Adani Enterprises told the court that the documentary continued to circulate through reuploads and reposts despite the original YouTube upload becoming inaccessible in India. The company argued that the statements contained in the video were false and defamatory.

Importantly, the court clarified that its order does not prohibit constructive criticism or fair reporting concerning Adani Enterprises, the Adani Group or government policies, provided such material does not involve the impugned documentary, its reproductions or the specific statements identified as defamatory.

The case is scheduled to return before the regular bench in January 2027, placing renewed focus on the legal boundaries between reputational protection, online content distribution and public-interest scrutiny.