New Delhi: The Delhi High Court ordered the immediate removal of online content that falsely claimed Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, several judges, and Union Ministers traveled to London at taxpayers’ expense to participate in a badminton tournament. The Court said the content appeared to be part of a “systematic misinformation campaign” that could damage public trust in the judiciary.
CJI London Visit Case: What Did the Delhi High Court Say?
Justice Tejas Karia of the Delhi High Court directed authorities and online intermediaries to remove, disable, block, and de-index the identified content within 24 hours.
The Court observed that the material was allegedly based on false claims, misleading information, and unrelated photographs. It warned that such content could seriously harm public confidence in India’s justice system.
Key Court Directions
| Direction | Details |
| Content Removal | Fake posts, articles, videos, and social media content to be removed within 24 hours |
| De-indexing | Search engines directed to de-index the identified content |
| Future Restrictions | Public restrained from re-uploading or sharing the same content |
| Data Preservation | Platforms must preserve subscriber and account details of content creators |
| Compliance Date | Matter listed for compliance on July 17, 2026 |
CJI London Visit Case: What Was the Viral Claim?
Several social media posts, videos, and reports claimed that:
- Around 75 to 100 judges had traveled to London.
- The visit was funded by taxpayers.
- Union Ministers and senior judicial officers participated in a badminton tournament.
- The event raised concerns about judicial independence.
According to the Badminton Association of India (BAI), these allegations were false and based on misleading information.
What Did the Government Tell the Court
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the viral photographs were not from London. According to the government:
- The photos were taken during a Bar and Bench badminton tournament held at Thyagaraj Stadium, New Delhi, in November 2025.
- The Chief Justice of India did not participate in any badminton tournament in London.
- Union Ministers named in the viral posts did not travel to London during the relevant period.
- PIB Fact Check and the Ministry of Law and Justice had already clarified that the claims were false.
Why Did the Badminton Association of India Approach the Court
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) filed the petition seeking:
- Removal of fake reports and social media posts.
- Action against the creators of misleading content.
- Identification of individuals responsible for spreading the claims.
- Protection of the reputation of the judiciary and the sport of badminton.
BAI argued that the misinformation campaign was causing reputational damage to both the judiciary and the sporting event.
CJI London Visit Case: Court’s Observations on Misinformation
The High Court noted that the impugned content appeared to go beyond criticism or fair reporting. According to the Court, the allegations were allegedly built on incorrect facts and misleading images. The Court stated that such misinformation could create long-term damage to public confidence in constitutional institutions.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Development |
| Nov 29, 2025 | Bar and Bench badminton event held at Thyagaraj Stadium, Delhi |
| June 7, 2026 | International Bar and Bench Badminton Championship held in London |
| June 2026 | Viral posts falsely linked judges and ministers to the London event |
| June 2026 | PIB and Law Ministry issued clarifications |
| June 20, 2026 | Delhi High Court ordered takedown of fake content |
| July 17, 2026 | Next compliance hearing scheduled |
