Bombay High Court Rules Social Media Cannot Be Used for Defamation; Asks Khan's Neighbour to Delete Posts
Bollywood actor Salman Khan is simultaneously involved in two distinct court proceedings: the Bombay High Court asked his Panvel farmhouse neighbour Ketan Kakkad to consider deleting allegedly defamatory social media posts, while the Delhi High Court issued notices to the makers of 'Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy' after Khan sought a ban on the film. In the Bombay case, Justice Sharmila Deshmukh remarked that social media access does not entitle anyone to post defamatory content, and the matter is next listed for July 6; in the Delhi case, a vacation bench issued notices and scheduled a hearing for June 19. The two cases together highlight growing judicial scrutiny over reputational harm to public figures, both through social media and cinematic portrayals.
On June 11, 2026, the Bombay High Court heard Salman Khan's defamation suit against neighbour Ketan Kakkad, who had posted videos alleging that Khan violated environmental norms during construction at his Panvel farmhouse and blocked access to Kakkad's adjoining property. Justice Sharmila Deshmukh questioned why grievances should be aired on social media rather than addressed through proper authorities, stating that social media access does not permit anyone to upload defamatory content about any person, celebrity or otherwise. The court suggested Kakkad consider deleting the posts and adjourned the matter to July 6, declining to immediately order removal. Separately, on June 12, 2026, the Delhi High Court issued notices to the director, producer, and casting director of 'Kala Hiran: Battle for Legacy' after Khan filed an application within an existing personality rights suit, alleging the film features a lookalike wearing his signature bracelet, portrays him as having underworld links, and could prejudice ongoing proceedings in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case still pending before the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court. The Delhi court noted that the film's trailer was released on June 12 despite an expected June 20 date, and scheduled the next hearing for June 19. Khan had previously sent a legal notice to the filmmakers, which the producer allegedly tore up publicly during an interview.
What's missing
It is unclear what specific environmental authority Kakkad claims to have approached without result. In the Delhi case, the legal standard under Indian law for granting an injunction against a film on personality rights and sub judice grounds has not been elaborated upon in any of the sources.
What different sources said
- Live LawCenter
'Can't Defame Anybody On Social Media' : Bombay High Court Asks Salman Khan's Neighbour To Consider...
- The HinduCenter
Social media not for defamation: HC; asks Salman Khan's neighbour to consider deleting posts
- Times of IndiaCenter
Salman Khan moves to Delhi HC for stay on 'Kala Hiran', teaser dropped
- Bar and BenchCenter
Delhi High Court seeks response from director, producer of Kala Hiran in Salman Khan's plea to ban film
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