Chennai: In a significant legal development, the Madras High Court has ruled in favor of politician and trans person Apsara Reddy, directing YouTuber Joe Micheal Praveen to pay ₹50 lakh in compensation for disseminating defamatory material and videos on social media platforms, including YouTube.
Apsara Reddy, a renowned celebrity speaker, journalist, and spokesperson for the AIADMK, filed the case, alleging that YouTuber Joe Micheal Praveen repeatedly posted defamatory content targeting her.
Justice N Sathish Kumar, in an order issued on January 4, meticulously reviewed the videos and posts presented by Reddy as evidence. The court concluded that these materials were defamatory, posted online without any attempt by Praveen to verify their accuracy.
The court emphasized the serious implications of such defamatory statements, especially when disseminated on social media platforms like YouTube, impacting the character, behavior, and personal life of an individual. Justice Kumar noted that while the right to post on YouTube is acknowledged, it is not absolute and should not infringe upon the privacy and reputation of others.