Aaradhya Bachchan moves High Court over misinformation on her health, legal notices sent to Google and other websites

Aaradhya Bachchan, the 13-year-old daughter of Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, has filed a fresh petition in the Delhi High Court, requesting the removal of false and misleading information regarding her health from various websites.

This petition is a follow-up to a previous order issued by the High Court, which had already directed search engine giant Google, social media account Bollywood Times, and other platforms to remove content that Aaradhya had identified as misleading in her initial petition.

The petition was filed after Aaradhya noticed that several websites were continuing to spread unfounded rumours about her health, despite the court’s earlier directive. During a recent hearing, the High Court issued a notice to Google following this fresh petition filed by the granddaughter of the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.

On April 20, 2023, the High Court had already ordered YouTube to take down a series of fake videos that portrayed Aaradhya as seriously ill. In her petition, Aaradhya had expressed concerns about the spread of these misleading and damaging videos. The court, in its ruling, had reinforced that every individual, regardless of their celebrity status, is entitled to dignity, particularly concerning their physical and mental well-being.

The legal battle highlights the ongoing issues related to online misinformation and the violation of an individual's right to privacy and dignity.

Despite the court’s previous order, the continuation of such content has prompted Aaradhya to take further legal action, seeking justice and protection from the spread of false narratives. The case has once again brought attention to the importance of ensuring that children, particularly those in the limelight, are not subjected to harmful misinformation or exploitation.

This case underscores the need for better regulation and accountability for digital platforms and content creators, ensuring that individuals, especially minors, are safeguarded from online harassment and false representations.

Aaradhya Bachchan's determination to fight for her privacy and dignity serves as a reminder of the pressing need to tackle the growing issue of online defamation and false content.