Delhi HC issues contempt notice to influencer over videos targeting judge in Saket collapse
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has issued a criminal contempt notice to influencer Kapil Kakar for videos falsely accusing a sitting judge of causing the Saket building collapse that killed six people. The bench ordered platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to pull the content — a rare judicial intervention that signals the courts are losing patience with targeted social media campaigns against judges.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court issued a criminal contempt notice to influencer Kapil Kakar on 8 June over videos targeting a sitting judge.
A bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna and Justice Madhu Jain ordered removal of the videos and blocking of the handle.
Kakar allegedly described the judge as a 'murderer' and accused the judiciary of corruption across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn .
The videos were linked to the Saket building collapse of 31 May in Saidulajab , which killed six people .
An FIR for culpable homicide has been registered at Mehrauli Police Station ; a magisterial inquiry was ordered by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta .
The Delhi High Court on Monday, 8 June issued a criminal contempt notice to social media influencer Kapil Kakar over a series of videos and posts allegedly containing scandalous remarks against the judiciary, linking a sitting High Court judge to the deadly Saket building collapse. The notice was issued on a petition filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).
What the Court Ordered
A division bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna and Justice Madhu Jain directed social media platforms to remove the objectionable videos and posts and ordered the blocking of the social media handle in question. Counsel for Google, YouTube, and Meta told the court that the platforms would comply once specific URLs were shared with them.
The bench observed that allegations of this nature against judges are becoming increasingly frequent on social media, and that the statements in the videos did not appear genuine. 'We can only hope that the public does not pay any attention to it,' the court said during the hearing.
What Kakar Allegedly Claimed
According to the DHCBA petition, Kakar — described as a psychologist and social activist — published videos across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn accusing a sitting High Court judge of being responsible for deaths caused by the collapse of an under-construction building in Saidulajab, near Saket Metro Station in south Delhi.
The petition alleged that Kakar falsely claimed the judge had dismissed a plea seeking action against illegal construction due to an alleged nexus with municipal authorities. Portions of the videos, as reproduced in the petition, reportedly described the judge as a 'murderer', accused the judiciary of corruption, and urged citizens to 'rise against such injustice'.
The Saket Building Collapse: Background
The controversy stems from the collapse of a four-storey under-construction building in Saidulajab near Saket Metro Station on 31 May. The structure — comprising a ground floor and three additional levels under construction — came down onto a nearby tin-shed canteen, trapping several people under the debris.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Delhi Police, civil defence personnel, and other agencies. According to Delhi Police, six persons lost their lives and several others were injured in the incident.
Official Response and Investigation
An FIR under provisions relating to culpable homicide was registered at Mehrauli Police Station, and an investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site following the tragedy and ordered a magisterial inquiry. She also directed authorities to take strict action against unauthorised constructions, hold responsible officials accountable, and conduct inspections of dilapidated and hazardous buildings in the area.
The contempt proceedings against Kakar are at a preliminary stage; the matter is expected to come up for further hearing after notice is served.
Point of View
And the growing misuse of social media to target the judiciary with unverified claims. The court's observation that such attacks are becoming 'increasingly frequent' is significant — it suggests a pattern, not an isolated incident. The danger is that legitimate public anger over tragedies like Saket gets hijacked by bad-faith content that muddies accountability rather than advancing it. Whether platforms will act swiftly — or require further court pressure — will be the real test of this order's reach.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Delhi High Court issue a contempt notice to Kapil Kakar?
The Delhi High Court issued a criminal contempt notice to Kapil Kakar on 8 June after the Delhi High Court Bar Association filed a petition alleging he published videos falsely accusing a sitting High Court judge of being responsible for the Saket building collapse. The bench found the statements appeared designed to scandalise the judiciary.
What happened in the Saket building collapse?
A four-storey under-construction building in Saidulajab near Saket Metro Station in south Delhi collapsed on 31 May, killing six people and injuring several others. The structure fell onto a nearby tin-shed canteen, triggering a major rescue operation by NDRF, Delhi Police, and civil defence teams.
What action has been taken in the Saket collapse case?
An FIR under culpable homicide provisions was registered at Mehrauli Police Station and an investigation is ongoing. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordered a magisterial inquiry, directed action against unauthorised constructions, and called for inspections of hazardous buildings in the area.
What did Kapil Kakar allegedly say in the videos?
According to the DHCBA petition, Kakar's videos described a sitting High Court judge as a 'murderer', accused the judiciary of corruption, and urged citizens to 'rise against such injustice'. He allegedly claimed the judge had dismissed a plea against illegal construction due to a nexus with municipal authorities.
Will the videos be removed from social media platforms?
Counsel for Google, YouTube, and Meta told the court that the platforms would remove the videos once specific URLs were provided. The court also ordered the blocking of the social media handle in question. The matter is expected to come up for further hearing after the contempt notice is formally served on Kakar.
