Calcutta High Court orders platforms to block Adani-Modi video and submit user logs

The Calcutta High Court has issued an interim injunction requiring YouTube, X, and Instagram to block access to a video essay titled “How Modi and Adani Stole India | The Friendship Files.” The order, part of a 50-crore rupee defamation case filed by Adani Enterprises, also prohibits the video's creator, Sabeer Bhatia, from sharing any clips related to the content.

Beyond removal, the court has demanded that intermediaries preserve and submit IP logs and subscriber details of anonymous accounts in a “sealed cover.” This judicial mechanism ensures the information is viewed only by the judge and remains excluded from public records and the view of opposing parties. Furthermore, the court has ordered platforms to freeze advertisement revenue generated by the URLs associated with the video.

In his ruling, Justice Aryak Dutt stated that the video presented dramatized narratives as factual claims, specifically citing accusations regarding narcotics smuggling and police violence. The judge argued that the content lacked evidence to support such assertions.

The use of sealed-cover submissions has drawn criticism from legal experts, who argue that the practice compromises the principles of open court and natural justice. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on January 31, 2027.