The Delhi High Court has observed that actor Vivek Oberoi appears to be avoiding further participation in his Vivek Oberoi personality rights case after securing an interim injunction earlier this year. The Court observed this while allowing X Corp’s request to exclude two social media posts from the scope of the interim protection granted to the actor.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani also appointed an amicus curiae to represent Oberoi’s interests after his lawyer informed the Court that he was no longer receiving instructions from the actor.
Delhi High Court questions Vivek Oberoi’s participation
While hearing the Vivek Oberoi personality rights case, the Court noted that Oberoi had not responded to X Corp’s application despite repeated opportunities.
Justice Bhambhani observed that the actor appeared to have obtained a favourable interim order protecting his personality rights on February 5 but was subsequently avoiding participation in proceedings related to objections raised by X Corp.
Oberoi’s counsel informed the Court that multiple attempts had been made to contact the actor through email, speed post and his manager, but no instructions had been received. The Court subsequently discharged the lawyer from representing him.
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Court excludes X posts from interim injunction
X Corp argued that two URLs covered by the injunction had no connection with Oberoi’s personality rights and merely contained lawful expressions of free speech.
Since no reply was filed on behalf of Oberoi, the Court presumed that he had no objection to the application and ordered that the two posts be excluded from the scope of the February 5 interim order in the Vivek Oberoi personality rights case.
The Court held that the posts did not relate to Oberoi’s personality rights and therefore should not remain covered by the injunction.
Amicus appointed as hearing continues
Several defendants alleged that the interim injunction was being used to suppress material unrelated to personality rights, including news reports concerning a company allegedly associated with Oberoi.
The Court found that these concerns warranted an expedited hearing and listed the interim injunction application for August 17. Defendants were granted one week to file their replies.
To ensure that Oberoi’s position remains represented despite the withdrawal of his counsel, the Court appointed advocate Rohan J. Alva as amicus curiae in the Vivek Oberoi personality rights case.
The Court also directed that its order be served on Oberoi through the Principal District and Sessions Judge in Mumbai as well as the local police station concerned.