Karan Johar Wins Legal Battle Against CarryMinati; Mumbai Court Orders Takedown Of ‘Objectionable’ Videos

A Mumbai civil court has granted filmmaker Karan Johar a significant legal victory against popular YouTuber CarryMinati by ordering the removal of online content deemed objectionable and defamatory. The order was issued on February 9, 2026, by Principal Sessions Judge PG Bhosale after Johar approached the court, claiming that the material harmed his reputation and crossed the line from humour into abuse.

The dispute centres on a parody video titled “Coffee With Jalan”, which was posted on CarryMinati’s YouTube channel. The spoof was modelled after Johar’s talk show Koffee With Karan and, according to Johar’s legal team, contained vulgar, abusive and defamatory language targeting him personally while also mocking Bollywood and ongoing debates over nepotism in the industry. His lawyers argued that the statements were so offensive that they could damage a reputation “painstakingly built over decades.”

In its ruling, the court agreed that a prima facie case had been made out, finding that the content appeared defamatory rather than merely satirical. The judge directed that these videos be taken down immediately and issued “John Doe” orders, instructing platforms like Google and Meta to disable links and URLs so unauthorised reposts could not be circulated. The court emphasised the need for an injunction not just against the named defendants but also against anyone who might re-share the clips across social media.

CarryMinati’s defence had argued that the video had already been voluntarily removed before the court hearing, contending this meant there was no ongoing cause of action. They also said the content was fair satire and should be protected as parody. However, Johar’s team countered that millions had already seen the clip, and it continued to appear as short clips and reels on various platforms.

This case highlights growing judicial scrutiny in India of digital content and creators, balancing free expression with protection from defamatory or abusive online speech. 

Image Source- Google