Delhi HC Orders YouTuber Mohak Mangal To Take Down Defamatory Content Against ANI

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 08:09 IST

Mangal, uploaded a video titled 'Dear ANI' suggesting that ANI's copyright enforcement and licensing fee requirements on YouTube were akin to extortion. 

Audio recording presented in Delhi High Court allegedly captures senior official from anti-corruption unit admitting pressure tactics against a judge critical of the agency. (IMAGE: PIXABAY)

The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered YouTuber Mohak Mangal to remove objectionable content from his video accusing the news agency Asian News International (ANI) of extortion and blackmail. The court’s decision was in response to ANI’s defamation suit, which alleged the video spread falsehoods, damaging its reputation.

Mangal, who has around 4.21 million subscribers, uploaded a video titled ‘Dear ANI’, suggesting that ANI’s copyright enforcement and licensing fee requirements on YouTube amounted to extortion.

Justice Amit Bansal stated that Mangal should have expressed his opinion more civilly. “‘Hafta wasooli’, ‘gunda raaj’… You will take this down… Do it today. Whoever is using this kind of language, please follow instructions."

Senior advocate Amit Sibal and advocate Sidhant Kumar, representing ANI, argued before the court that the content was both defamatory and inflammatory.

“He started a media campaign against me (ANI) that spiralled into a concerted campaign which is nothing short of vilifying and, per se, defamatory. They are calling me a thug, extortionist, gunda," Sibal said.

ANI’s defamation suit against Mangal also includes comedian Kunal Kamra and AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair for sharing the video containing the allegedly false accusations against the news agency. Mangal’s lawyers, senior advocate Chander Lall and advocate Nakul Gandhi, claimed ANI used intimidation tactics and bypassed proper legal procedures.

“If they have a grievance against me, they can’t call me and extort money… that I will block your channel if you don’t pay," Lall said.

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