Authors : Mr. Nidhish Mehrotra (Managing Partner), Mr. Shwetank Tripathi (Partner)

Bombay High Court orders takedown of disparaging social media content and restrains further dissemination of the impugned video or content repeating the defamatory allegations against Bisleri and its products.

The Bombay High Court has granted urgent ex parte ad-interim relief in favour of Bisleri International Private Limited, India’s market leader in packaged drinking water, restraining the circulation of allegedly false and defamatory online content concerning the quality and safety of its packaged drinking water.

Bisleri is one of India’s most recognised consumer brands for over 50 years, with a nationwide manufacturing and distribution footprint spanning 130 operational plants and nearly 6,000 distributors.

In its order dated 30 October 2026, the Court directed the removal of the impugned video, together with identified reposts and copies circulating across social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

Background

Bisleri approached the Court after discovering a video that made serious allegations regarding the source and safety of its packaged drinking water and depicted a manufacturing facility as being connected with the company.

Bisleri submitted that the allegations were false and that the premises shown in the video had no connection with Bisleri or any of its licensees, franchisees or co-packers. It also placed before the Court that it holds a valid FSSAI Central Licence and that its manufacturing facilities are regularly audited by FSSAI-accredited agencies.

Upon reviewing the pleadings and the video, Justice Arif S. Doctor found that a clear prima facie case of defamation, denigration and disparagement had been made out. The Court also noted that the extensive circulation of the content across social media created a real risk of further dissemination and amplification, with the potential to cause serious and irreversible prejudice to Bisleri’s goodwill and reputation

Relief granted

The Court directed the concerned social media platform to remove and take down the impugned video, including identified reposts, re-shares and copies.

It also restrained the persons responsible from further publishing, uploading, circulating or disseminating the impugned video, or other content repeating the defamatory allegations concerning Bisleri and its products.

Significance

For consumer-facing businesses, reputational harm can escalate rapidly once misleading content begins circulating across multiple digital platforms. The order is significant in demonstrating that Indian courts can grant urgent interim protection not only against the original publication, but also against its continued republication and circulation where a prima facie case of defamation and disparagement is established.

For international brands operating in India, the decision is particularly relevant to online brand protection, reputation management and enforcement against harmful digital content.

ANM Global represented Bisleri International in the proceedings.

For Bisleri International: Mr. Virag Tulzapurkar (Senior Counsel), along with Mr. Hiren Kamod (Counsel), instructed by ANM Global led by Mr. Nidhish Mehrotra (Managing Partner), Mr. Shwetank Tripathi (Partner), Ms. Sonam Pradhan (Associate), Ms. Hasti Parekh (Associate) and Ms. Karishma Kantawala (Trainee Associate).