Posts about CJI, Union ministers playing badminton at UK event false: Govt to Delhi HC

The Indian government has asserted that viral social media posts falsely alleging that the Chief Justice of India, several Supreme Court judges, and Union ministers attended a badminton tournament in London at public expense are "completely false and misleading." Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Delhi High Court on Friday that these posts aim to create a fabricated narrative around the visit of constitutional functionaries to the United Kingdom.

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The posts being circulated on social media were 'completely false and misleading' and sought to create a fabricated narrative around the visit of certain constitutional functionaries to the United Kingdom.

Mehta presented evidence to the court, stating that photographs being circulated were not taken in London. Instead, they originated from a badminton event held at Delhi's Thyagaraj Stadium in November 2025. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) filed a petition seeking the removal of this false content, which alleged a large Indian delegation participated in a UK badminton event.

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The photographs being circulated are not from London at all.

The court heard submissions from both the Centre and the petitioner, with Justice Tejas Karia observing that social media platforms could be compelled to provide basic user information to the IT Ministry. He noted that any further action would fall under the Union government's purview according to the IT Act. The court has reserved its order on the matter, indicating a potential directive for intermediaries to share user data to combat misinformation.

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The court can direct that basic information of all users be provided to the IT Ministry. It is ultimately up to the Union of India to take action under the IT Act. All these companies are either media or intermediaries.