Mohak Mangal vs ANI: A Legal Battle Over Alleged Defamation and Copyright Strikes.

the Delhi High Court recently addressed a defamation case involving YouTuber Mohak Mangal and news agency ANI. the case centers around a video Mangal published on May 25, 2025, in which he accused ANI of extortion and blackmail. ANI responded by filing a defamation suit, leading to court proceedings that have garnered significant media attention. ▶️ Background of the Dispute Mohak Mangal, a YouTuber with over 4.2 million subscribers, is known for his videos on social, political, and environmental issues. In his May 25 video, Mangal alleged that ANI demanded over ₹40 lakh to lift copyright strikes issued against his channel for using short clips from ANI's content. He characterized ANI's actions as extortion and blackmail. ANI filed a defamation suit against Mangal, asserting that the video's content was defamatory and damaging to the agency's reputation. the suit also named comedian Kunal Kamra and AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair as defendants for sharing Mangal's video on social media. ▶️ Court Proceedings and Directives On May 29, 2025, the Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Amit Bansal, heard the case. After viewing the video, the court observed that certain language used by Mangal was offensive and defamatory. Specifically, the court took issue with terms like "hafta wasooli" (extortion) and "gunda raj" (rule of goons). Initially, the court directed Mangal to take down the entire video. However, after Mangal's counsel, Senior Advocate Chander Lall, proposed removing only the objectionable portions, the court agreed to this approach. Mangal was instructed to put the video in private mode, edit out the offending content, and submit a revised version to ANI's counsel. Once the edits were approved, he could re-upload the video. ▶️ Involvement of Other Defendants the court also addressed the involvement of Kunal Kamra and Mohammed Zubair. Kamra had shared Mangal's video on social media, using terms like "thugs" and "mafia" to describe ANI. the court found this language to be non-satirical and offensive, directing Kamra to take down the tweet. Zubair, on the other hand, voluntarily agreed to delete his tweet sharing Mangal's video. the court acknowledged his cooperation and removed him from the list of defendants. ▶️ Legal Arguments Presented • ANI's Position: Represented by Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, ANI argued that Mangal unlawfully used its copyrighted content and defamed the agency. ANI claimed that Mangal's video was part of a broader campaign to pressure the agency and damage its reputation. • Mangal's Defense: Mangal's counsel contended that ANI's demand for a ₹40 lakh licensing fee was unreasonable and amounted to coercion. they argued that the video was a form of journalistic expression highlighting issues with ANI's practices. ▶️Implications for Content Creators This case underscores the importance of responsible content creation, especially when discussing individuals or organizations. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it must be balanced against the potential for defamation. Content creators are advised to: • Ensure accuracy in their reporting. • Avoid using defamatory language. • Be prepared to substantiate their claims with evidence. the Delhi High Court's handling of the defamation case between Mohak Mangal and ANI highlights the legal responsibilities of digital content creators. It serves as a reminder that while critical commentary is permissible, it must be conducted within the bounds of the law to avoid defamation.