Bombay HC refrains posting defamatory content against Serum Institute

On Monday, the Bombay High Court ordered two people and their organisation to remove text they had posted that was “prima facie defamatory” against the large vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII). Additionally, they were temporarily prohibited from posting any content critical of the company by a single bench of Justice R I Chagla. […]

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Edited By: Sonia Dham
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On Monday, the Bombay High Court ordered two people and their organisation to remove text they had posted that was “prima facie defamatory” against the large vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII).

Additionally, they were temporarily prohibited from posting any content critical of the company by a single bench of Justice R I Chagla.

In December 2022, the SII filed a defamation lawsuit against the two people and their organisations, claiming damages in the amount of Rs 100 crore for allegedly disseminating false information about the business and its COVID-19 vaccination Covishield.

After the hearing, the High Court temporarily restrained the defendants, Yohan Tengra, his organisation Anarchy for Freedom India, and Ambar Koiri and his organisation Awaken India Movement from publishing any content against SII or its employees.

“Interim relief granted. Defendants restrained from publishing defamatory content. And directed to remove the content from website or social media accounts published,” the order stated.

The suit filed by SSI said that the sites were free accessible without any prior subscription. These posts not only targeted the employees of SSI but Adar Poonawala too.

The High Court declined to provide Serum with immediate relief on December 22, 2022, citing a lack of time to consider the parties’ requests.

Additionally, they submitted a counterclaim calling for the prosecution of SII for making false claims on the outcomes of the Covishield vaccine.