Delhi High Court Orders Social Media Post Removal in Amul Ice Cream Controversy

The Delhi High Court has directed a social media user to remove a post from the platform X (formerly Twitter) alleging the presence of a centipede in Amul ice cream. The court also restrained the user and others from making similar posts on any social media platforms.

Case Background:

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), the parent organization of Amul, sought the court’s intervention to remove the post and prevent further defamatory content. The case was brought against Deepa Devi, who posted the allegation on her X account (@Deepadi11).

Court’s Order:

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued an ex-parte order for the removal of the post within three days. The order also restrains Deepa Devi and other defendants from posting any identical or similar content on any social media platform, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, until further notice.

Statements from Plaintiff’s Counsel:

Senior counsel Sunil Dalal, representing GCMMF, emphasized the stringent quality checks in place throughout the production process of Amul ice cream. He highlighted the following points:

1. Quality Control: Amul employs rigorous quality checks at every stage, from raw milk procurement to the manufacturing process at ISO-certified plants, ensuring no physical, bacterial, or chemical contamination.
2. FSSAI Standards: All products conform to standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
3. Inspection Protocol: Continuous inspections are conducted from milking cattle to packaging and loading, making it improbable for any foreign substance to be present in the ice cream.

Defendant’s Non-Cooperation:

The court noted that despite attempts by Amul’s representatives to verify the claim by examining the ice cream tub in question, the defendants refused to provide it. Additionally, the defendants did not appear in court despite being served with summons and an advance copy of the suit record.

Court’s Observations:

Justice Arora observed that the defendants were served with the suit record in June 2024 but failed to appear in court on the scheduled dates of June 28 and July 1. The bench emphasized the need for a cautious judicial approach to balance the protection of reputations with freedom of speech.

Future Proceedings:

The case is scheduled for the next hearing on July 22, where further deliberations will take place.

Implications:

This case underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing defamation and protecting corporate reputations in the digital age. The court’s interim order highlights the importance of verifying claims before dissemination on social media platforms to prevent unwarranted harm to brands.

Case Details:

• Court: Delhi High Court
• Judge: Hon’ble Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
• Plaintiff: Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (Amul)
• Defendant: Deepa Devi (@Deepadi11)
• Next Hearing: July 22, 2024

This order reflects the court’s commitment to ensuring that social media platforms are not misused to spread unverified and potentially harmful information about reputable brands.