Finding prima facie case of malicious and defamatory online content against Bisleri, the Bombay High Court has granted dynamic injunction to curb further circulation across social media platforms. The Court prima facie found the videos to be disparaging, defamatory and malicious, noting that they contained serious allegations regarding the safety and quality of Bisleri’s drinking water products without credible supporting material.
The Court accepted Bisleri’s case that the premises shown in the video had no connection with the company and took note of the company’s regulatory approvals and compliance framework. Recognising the speed and scale of dissemination on social media, the Court granted ex parte ad-interim relief, holding that continued circulation could cause significant and irreparable injury to the company’s reputation and goodwill.
Briefly, Bisleri International Private Limited approached the Bombay High Court against Meta Platforms Inc. and several social media users/accounts over a viral video circulated on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Google. The video alleged that BISLERI packaged drinking water was being manufactured using drain water and toilet wastewater, and purported to show a plant from where such water was allegedly sourced. The company contended that the video was entirely false, misleading, defamatory and damaging to its reputation and goodwill. It also stated that the premises shown in the video had no connection whatsoever with Bisleri or any of its franchisees, licensees or co-packers.
Bisleri further asserted that it is a leading packaged drinking water manufacturer with valid FSSAI licences and regularly audited facilities. According to the company, the impugned video falsely questioned the quality, purity and safety of its products and had already been widely circulated by multiple social media accounts, causing serious reputational harm.
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A Single Judge Bench of Justice Arif S. Doctor personally viewed the impugned video and observed that it was, prima facie, not only disparaging and denigrating but also plainly malicious. The video made categorical allegations that Bisleri was manufacturing and selling contaminated and unsafe drinking water and created an impression that consumers were being supplied non-potable water.
The Court noted that the allegations appeared to be false and unsupported by any credible material. It also considered Bisleri’s evidence showing that its manufacturing facilities held valid regulatory approvals and were regularly audited. The Court found merit in the company’s contention that the premises shown in the video had no connection with it.
The Court further observed that because of the rapid and widespread circulation of the video across multiple social media platforms, there was a real risk of further dissemination and amplification of the allegedly defamatory content. Such continued circulation had the potential to cause substantial and irreversible damage to Bisleri’s goodwill and reputation.
