A Delhi court has summoned YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case brought by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Karamshi Nakhua, who alleges that Rathee referred to him as a “violent and abusive” troll.

District Judge Gunjan Gupta of the Saket Court issued the order on July 19.

Additionally, the Court has issued a notice to Rathee regarding Nakhua's request for interim relief, with the next hearing scheduled for August 6.

"Issue summons of the suit and notice of the application u/o 39 Rule 1 and 2 CPC to the defendants, subject to steps by all modes i.e. PF & RC/Speed Post/ Approved Courier including electronic mode for 06.08.2024. Process be also given dasti, as prayed," the Court ordered.

Advocates Raghav Awasthi and Mukesh Sharma represented Nakhua.

On July 7, 2024, Rathee uploaded a video titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav | Dhruv Rathee” on his YouTube channel.

Nakhua, the spokesperson for the Mumbai unit of the BJP, alleges that Rathee referred to him as part of “violent and abusive trolls,” claiming the accusations are baseless and damaging to his reputation.

“The Defendant No.1 [Dhruv Rathee], in a highly provocative and incendiary video that spread rapidly across digital platforms, made bold and unsubstantiated claims against the Plaintiff. The insidious intent behind this video lies in its unfounded insinuation that the Plaintiff is somehow linked to violent and abusive troll activities,” the suit argued.

Nakhua stated that due to Rathee's allegations, he has faced widespread condemnation and ridicule.

"Through this cunningly crafted video, a deliberate campaign to besmirch the Plaintiff's integrity and reputation is apparent, as baseless accusations and malicious connections are artfully insinuated. The primary creator of this video seeks not only to cast doubt on the Plaintiff's character but also to tarnish his hard-earned standing in society, planting seeds of suspicion and mistrust that can have far-reaching consequences. The repercussions of such false allegations are manifold, extending well beyond the realm of the video itself to irrevocably impact both the personal and professional domains of the Plaintiff, leaving scars that may never fully heal.''

Case Title: Suresh Karamshi Nakhua v Dhruv Rathee and Ors