Delhi High Court: Refuses to Unblock Psychologist's Accounts Over Judge Corruption Claims

Home / News updates Delhi HC Refuses To Unblock Psychologist’s Social Media Accounts Over Videos Accusing Sitting Judge Of Corruption X Delhi HC Refuses To Unblock Psychologist’s Social Media Accounts Over Videos Accusing Judge Of Corruption Division Bench of Delhi High Court refuses to recall blocking of Dr Kapil Kakar’s social media accounts, holds videos making allegations of corruption, collusion and criminality against a sitting Judge prima facie contemptuous. The Delhi High Court has refused to unblock psychologist Dr. Kapil Kakar’s social media accounts, which were blocked pursuant to its earlier orders over videos containing allegations of corruption, collusion and criminality against a sitting Judge in connection with the Saket building collapse. The Court also took cognizance under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 , after finding the contents of the videos prima facie contemptuous. It directed issuance of a formal show-cause notice to Kakar as to why contempt action should not be initiated against him. A Division Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Vikas Mahajan passed the order on August 20 while hearing a contempt petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association against Kakar. Meta Platforms Inc., Google LLC, X Corp and LinkedIn Corporation were also respondents. Videos Linked Saket Building Collapse To Sitting Judge The contempt proceedings arose from videos and social media content uploaded by Kakar following the Saket building collapse, in which allegations were made against a sitting Judge of the High Court. The allegations went beyond criticism of judicial orders. As recorded in the High Court’s order, Kakar’s videos accused the Judge of corruption, favouring one party and big corporates, having a “quid pro quo” relationship with big corporates and Government agencies, and threatening lawyers to withdraw petitions. The videos also used expressions including “real criminal” , “murderer” , “habitual offender” and “shameless to the core” for the sitting Judge. One video questioned whether the Judge should be sent to jail and stated that the Judge should face even capital punishment. The Court had earlier observed that while fair criticism of judicial orders and institutions is permissible, allegations attributing corruption, collusion, criminality or improper motives to Judges without any lawful basis cannot be equated with legitimate criticism. It had prima facie found the impugned material to be scandalous and contumacious and a direct interference with the justice delivery system. Delhi HC Examines 3 Videos At the August 20 hearing, the Bench watched all three videos containing the allegedly contemptuous material placed on record by the Delhi High Court Bar Association. Kakar appeared in person and informed the Court that the three impugned videos were no longer available online on any platform. Meta, Google, X and LinkedIn also confirmed that, pursuant to the High Court’s earlier orders dated June 8 and June 12, 2026, all URLs identified by the Bar Association had been blocked or taken down. The Court nevertheless considered Kakar’s challenge to the earlier order blocking all his social media accounts. ‘Fair Criticism’ Permissible, But Not Baseless Allegations Against Judges The High Court noted that any restraint on publication engages the constitutional guarantee of free speech and must therefore be exercised with caution. At the same time, the Court had earlier held that freedom of speech does not extend to publications which prima facie scandalise the Court, undermine public confidence in the administration of justice or interfere with the independent discharge of judicial functions. The Court also observed that social media, despite its undeniable benefits, cannot be used irresponsibly as an instrument to undermine institutions, interfere with judicial independence or malign individuals. Kakar threatened to create new Social Media accounts The Bench also considered a third