Delhi High Court has told Centre's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) to sort an appeal over a controversial YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee in 15 days. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma gave this order during a July 3,2026 hearing, warning that non-compliance would be serious.
Advocate Amita Sachdeva filed the petition,arguing the video's public presence is problematic. She claims it contains “patently false, misleading and deliberately distorted” statements that might stir communal tensions. Her legal steps began soon after video hit the platform March 21, 2026. She went to Cyber Crime Cell March 22,then YouTube’s Resident Grievance Officer March 23.
YouTube refused to pull the video,saying it didn't break community rules. So,Sachdeva took it to GAC March 27. Her complaint points out that Information Technology rules call for quick appeal resolutions — ideally in 30 days — but here it dragged on over two and a half months.
In court, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma argued either YouTube should take the video down or court should order its removal,citing disrespect to Hindu deities. Meanwhile, Google's lawyer said company had already dealt with Sachdeva's complaint,but GAC's pending decision still hangs there.
Court stepped in while criminal proceedings are ongoing. On June 9, Saket Courts' Chief Metropolitan Magistrate asked Delhi Police for an Action Taken Report on Sachdeva's FIR application .
As GAC gears up to review appeal, what comes next could shift balance between online speech and community lines in India…
