'Public Figure Should Not Be So Thin-Skinned': Delhi HC on BJP Leader Raghav Chadha's Plea

Delhi High Court said most posts targeting Raghav Chadha were satirical, not defamatory, while directing removal of six vulgar social media posts.

By Pranjal Gupta

New Delhi, July 1: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that a majority of the social media content, which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raghav Chadha alleged was defamatory, appeared to be "satirical expression". Chadha had approached the court, seeking a ban on a "malicious" campaign against him after he switched to the BJP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in April. The court, however, ordered the takedown of certain content on the grounds that it was vulgar and "fell outside the purview of harmless satirical humor".

"Majority of the allegedly defamatory content appears to be satirical expressions of the Plaintiff’s decisions in the political sphere, and such decisions are likely attract both bouquets and brickbats at the same time," the court said.

The court further told Chadha, "As observed in a catena of judgments, a public figure should not be so thin-skinned so as to complain about any criticism of his decisions and such criticism ought to be viewed with humility."

Delhi High Court said most posts targeting Raghav Chadha were satirical, not defamatory, while directing removal of six vulgar social media posts. (AI-Generated Image)

It said that any action by a politician belonging to any political party will, in most, if not all, circumstances, invite criticism from, upset, or create turmoil among the general public or members of rival political parties, which may, at times, be expressed in the form of satirical humor.

"However, that does not automatically make such content offensive or defamatory," the court added.

Chadha's Plea

BJP leader Raghav Chadha told the court that he had cultivated goodwill, credibility, and public trust over the years, especially among young voters. He said such fake videos, created using AI, and other content were made by unknown people to damage his reputation and portray him in a negative light.

Raghav also submitted that he had a substantial public digital identity and reputation across various social media platforms, which were badly affected due to the "malicious content".

While the court ordered the removal of profane content, it said the rest of the content seemed to be public criticism over his decision to switch political parties.

Following his switch to the BJP, Raghav Chadha faced a massive social media backlash, losing between 2.4 million and 2.5 million followers on Instagram in the days immediately following the announcement.

Raghav Chadha, alongside six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, officially moved from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 24, 2026.