Swati DeshpandeMumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday, hearing actor Salman Khan’s appeal against denial of interim relief by a trial court in a defamation suit, remarked that access to social media does not entitle individuals to publish content that could defame others, whether private citizens or celebrities. The court orally suggested if an amicable resolution could be reached and asked Khan’s Panvel farmhouse neighbour to consider deleting the posts and video which the actor alleged were defamatory.A single-judge bench of Justice Sharmila Deshmukh indicated that parties should refrain from litigating their disputes on social media and ought to pursue legal remedies before judicial fora. Khan had alleged that the neighbour, Ketan Kakkad, had made video posts with allegedly defamatory content against him, his Panvel farm and his family. The HC posted the matter next to July 6.The court was told that posts are by third parties, and Justice Deshmukh said that even if they are, steps can be taken to remove them through social media intermediaries. The HC said directions can be passed to intermediaries if necessary to remove posts even if posts are by a third party.Khan had filed a defamation suit before the city civil court, which granted the actor no interim relief against the posts.Khan had in 2022 approached the HC in appeal against the trial court order. The appeal came up on Thursday before the HC for hearing, where Justice Deshmukh also orally suggested that judicial time was precious and ideally ought not to be spent deciding whether videos should remain online. Justice Deshmukh frowned on continued circulation of such content.The actor, represented by counsel Chirag Mody and advocate Parag Khandhar of DSK Legal, contended that the allegations against him in the “public” social media posts were causing him and his family members “grave harm, loss and prejudice.” His case was that the posts are not only defamatory but also contained “speculative” material that could be “communally provocative.”Abha Singh, Kakkad’s lawyer in the trial court, had opposing relief argued the actor was seeking to ‘gag’ him. Before the HC, advocate Anuj Desai appeared, to oppose Khan’s appeal and sought time for instructions to the judge’s queries and suggestions.Kakkad, an American citizen, had argued earlier that he has been unable to rightfully access his land since 2014, when he permanently settled in India, due to a “huge gate” that obstructs him. The posts garnered significant engagement online, Khan’s counsel submitted.T
