Saket building collapse: Delhi high court directs removal of social media posts accusing sitting judge

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday directed removal of videos and online content posted by Dr Kapil Kakar in connection with the Saket building collapse on May 30, which claimed six lives. The videos allegedly made serious allegations against a sitting judge of the court relating to the same case.The direction came while the court was hearing a criminal contempt petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) against Dr Kakar over the social media content.Appearing for the DHCBA, president N Hariharan submitted that the videos alleged a sitting judge of the Delhi high court of corruption and criminal misconduct. He argued that such statements amounted to an attack on the judiciary and could not be justified as fair criticism.The DHCBA contended that the statements made in the videos amount to criminal contempt as they seek to undermine the authority of the court and public confidence in the administration of justice.The bench expressed concern over growing influence of social media and the effect that such content could have on public confidence in the judicial system during the hearing.The court said that social media platforms cannot be a way to scandalise the judiciary and orally directed the said videos and links be removed.The contempt petition states the videos attributed responsibility for the incident to a sitting judge of the Delhi high court and alleged corruption and collusion in relation to judicial proceedings concerning the property.The petition further alleges that judicial orders were misrepresented in the videos to support claims of wrongdoing by the court. It seeks initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against Dr Kakar and directions to social media platforms, including Meta, Google, X and LinkedIn, to remove the content and preserve relevant records.The matter has been listed for further hearing in July.The Standing Counsel (Criminal) for the Government of NCT of Delhi and Delhi High Court, Sanjay Lao, has recently granted written consent under Section 15(1)(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, for the filing of a criminal contempt petition before the Delhi high court against Dr Kapil Kakar.The consent has been granted following a request made by the DHCBA in relation to a series of social media posts and videos allegedly published by Dr Kakar concerning the collapse of a building at Saidulajab near Saket Metro Station on May 30, 2026.(With inputs from ANI)