Dhruv Rathee YouTube Video Withheld in India, Global Blocking Pending: YouTube Tells Delhi High Court

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All details have been compiled from publicly available reports. Readers are advised to refer to the original source and official court documents for complete and accurate information.

Google (YouTube) informed the Delhi High Court on August 11, 2026, that it has withheld a video uploaded by social media influencer Dhruv Rathee in India following allegations that the content was defamatory and offended religious sentiments. The global blocking of the video remains pending before a Division Bench of the High Court.

Source: The Hindu (Published August 11, 2026)

What Happened in Court

The submission was made before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in a petition filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva. She has sought complete removal of the allegedly objectionable video.

Google’s counsel clarified that the restriction is currently limited to India. The question of blocking the video worldwide is already pending before a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court.

Justice Sharma observed: “Whatever they could do, they have already done,” and posted the matter for further hearing on September 3, 2026.

Allegations Against the Video

According to the petitioner, Dhruv Rathee uploaded the video on March 21, 2026. It later garnered millions of views on YouTube.

Ms. Sachdeva alleged that the video contained “false, misleading and provocative statements” concerning:

Lord Shri Ram
Lord Krishna
Goddess Sita

She claimed the content was defamatory and hurt religious sentiments.

GAC Order & YouTube’s Response

The Centre’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) had directed Google on July 15, 2026, to take down the video within 24 hours. YouTube only withheld it within India, which the petitioner described as “partial compliance.”

Google informed the court that the geo-restriction in India was done pursuant to the GAC order.

Timeline of the Case

March 21, 2026 – Video uploaded by Dhruv Rathee
March 22, 2026 – Complaint lodged with Cyber Crime Cell
March 23, 2026 – Grievance filed before YouTube’s Resident Grievance Officer
March 27, 2026 – Appeal filed before GAC after YouTube declined to remove the video
July 3, 2026 – Delhi High Court directed GAC to decide the grievance within 15 days
July 15, 2026 – GAC ordered takedown within 24 hours
August 11, 2026 – Google informs court that video is withheld in India

Current Status

The video remains accessible outside India. The issue of a global injunction is pending before the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court. The next hearing in the present matter is scheduled for September 3, 2026.

Conclusion

The case highlights ongoing tensions between free speech, platform responsibility, and religious sensitivities in India. While YouTube has complied with the India-specific restriction ordered by the GAC, the larger question of worldwide blocking continues to be examined by the Delhi High Court.

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