The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Central Government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) to decide within 15 days a plea seeking the removal of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s video titled “Can Hindus Eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED”, in which he is alleged to have made remarks about Hindu deities. The Court directed that the GAC’s decision be communicated to it and cautioned that any disregard of its directions would be viewed seriously.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order while hearing a petition filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who challenged a YouTube video uploaded by Rathee on March 21, 2026. Sachdeva alleged that the video falsely claimed that revered Hindu figures, including Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Krishna, consumed meat and alcohol, thereby hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus and insulting Sanatan Dharma.

The petitioner contended that the video was highly derogatory, inflammatory and communally sensitive and disclosed cognizable offences under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Appearing for the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma argued that the intermediary, YouTube, was under a statutory obligation to exercise due diligence and ought to have removed the content. He submitted that the video was harmful and fissiparous, adding that Google should voluntarily take down content that allegedly hurt the sentiments of the majority community, failing which the Court could pass appropriate orders.

Counsel appearing for Google informed the Court that the company had already responded to the petitioner’s grievance and pointed out that she had availed the statutory remedy by filing an appeal before the GAC.

Taking note of the submission, the High Court directed the GAC to decide the pending appeal within 15 days and communicate its decision to the Court. Justice Sharma observed that any disregard of this order will be taken note of seriously.