Notice to Google, Facebook on defamatory content on NGO

The Delhi High Court Tuesday issued notice to some internet and social networking service providers, including Google and Facebook, on a plea seeking removal of defamatory content against an NGO and a church from their sites.

Justice Valmiki Mehta sought a response from Google India and its subsidiaries, Facebook, You Tube, Blogger and Blogspot by Jan 7, 2013.

The court's direction came on a joint plea of Gospel for Asia (a Delhi-based NGO) and Believers Church.

The petition alleged that "there are several malicious contents with intent to defame and destroy the reputation of the entire organisation (church), including founder Metropolitan Bishop Dr. K.P. Yohannan and Rev. Fr. Daniel Varghese, diocesan secretary of the church".

"Certain persons with vested interest are continuously trying to malign the reputation of the organisation by uploading defamatory contents on the internet," the plea said.

Advocate Deepak Prakash, appearing for the petitioners, sought the court's direction "to remove defamatory and derogatory articles, statements and videos" from the networking sites.