The Delhi High Court on Friday disposed of a petition concerning viral social media posts claiming that the Chief Justice of India, 75 judges and Union Ministers had travelled to London to participate in a badminton tournament. Justice Tejas Karia observed that the issue fell within the domain of the Union Government, observing that it was for the authorities to investigate the dissemination of the alleged fake news and take appropriate action under the Information Technology Act. The Bench further remarked that there was little purpose in keeping the proceedings pending once the competent authorities were empowered to act.
During the hearing, the Centre placed before the Court a fact-check report and submitted that the viral claims were based on photographs taken at an entirely different event held in New Delhi. Appearing for the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted:
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“We have fact-checked, the government has fact-checked. This is completely false and misleading.”
The Centre explained that the photographs circulating on social media depicted a ceremonial inaugural match held during a national-level Bar and Bench badminton tournament at the Yagrik Stadium in New Delhi on November 29, 2025. According to the government, the images showed the then Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju participating in a token match on the opening day of the event.
The government categorically denied claims that the photographs were taken in London.
It further submitted that the Chief Justice of India had travelled to the United Kingdom only on an official visit, during which he met the Chief Justice of England and Wales and attended official legal engagements, including events relating to arbitration law.
Refuting another widely circulated claim, the Centre told the Court that neither Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal nor Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had visited London during the relevant period. It further stated that, as per the government’s information, only two judges of the Allahabad High Court had travelled to London in their personal capacity. The Centre argued that the viral content was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the judiciary and submitted:
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“It is unfortunate that fake news based on a different event held in Delhi is being peddled to tarnish the image of the Supreme Court of India, the Chief Justice of India and other High Courts. This needs to be investigated and the originator needs to be found…A common man believes the printed word. That’s the problem. And the anonymity attached to this medium creates more seriousness.”
The Bench declined to issue any blanket direction. The court observed: “You can also direct that the basic subscriber information about all the users will be provided to the Ministry of Information Technology.”
Recording the Centre’s statement that it would undertake the necessary action, the Court found no reason to keep the matter pending and disposed of the petition.