A Rajasthan Court has taken cognizance against Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, educator and founder of Drishti IAS, over a viral video containing allegedly derogatory and defamatory comments about judicial officers, public prosecutors, and the legal profession.
The complaint was filed by a practicing advocate, who claimed that Divyakirti’s remarks made during a coaching session and later circulated widely on YouTube and social media mocked and belittled the dignity of Judicial Magistrates, High Court Judges, and the entire legal system.
In the video titled “IAS vs Judge: Who is Greater?”, the accused allegedly used sarcastic and disrespectful language to compare civil servants with judicial officers, suggesting that District Judges lacked real authority compared to administrative officers.
The Court found prima facie evidence to proceed under Sections 353(2), 356(2) and (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66A(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Court noted that the content uploaded on social media platforms was not only disrespectful but also capable of undermining public confidence in the judiciary. Advocate Sumeer Sodhi appeared for Divyakirti and submitted that no case is made out against his client since there was no intention to defame any identifiable individual or group of individuals.
The Court has directed Divyakirti to appear on 22.07.2025.
Appearances:
Accused : Advocate Sumeer Sodhi
