The proceedings stem from a petition seeking criminal contempt action the social media user for a video in which he allegedly held a sitting HC judge responsible for the building collapse that claimed six lives. File.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Delhi High Court has issued a show-cause notice to a social media user, asking him to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated over YouTube videos allegedly containing contemptuous remarks against a sitting judge in connection with the collapse of a multi-storey building in Said-ul-ajab in May.
A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan also declined to recall its June 8 order directing social media platforms to block the accounts and handles of Kapil Kakar.
The proceedings stem from a petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA), which sought criminal contempt action against Mr. Kakar over videos in which he allegedly held a sitting high court judge responsible for the building collapse that claimed six lives.
According to the DHCBA, Mr. Kakar uploaded several videos on social media platforms containing allegations against the judge, who had allegedly earlier dealt with a case concerning illegal construction in the building.
On June 8, the court directed social media platforms to remove the offending links and block Mr. Kakar’s accounts and handles.
Mr. Kakar subsequently moved an application seeking recall of the direction, contending that the order directing the blocking of his accounts amounted to a “wide relief”.
However, in its August 20 order, the two-judge Bench noted that after the June 8 direction, Mr. Kakar had uploaded another video in which he allegedly stated that new social media accounts would be created to upload further videos.
The court observed that the video was uploaded after the DHCBA’s petition had been served on him and indicated that he was aware of the proceedings and anticipated that his existing accounts could be blocked.
In these circumstances, the Bench held that its earlier direction to block Mr. Kakar’s social media accounts was “fully justified” and did not warrant recall.
The court had earlier directed the removal of the videos, observing on June 8 that the allegations made in them were “absolutely scandalous” and “contumacious”, and amounted to a direct interference with the administration of justice.
Published – August 29, 2026 03:55 am IST
