G.Balamurugan v. Union of India

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for direction directing the respondents to consider the representation submitted by the petitioner dated 21.08.2025, seeking to remove his name, photos and other personal details from telecasting in the YouTube, Social Media and private News channels.

¶2The petitioner is the complainant in Crime No.2 of 2018 registered on the file of the City Crime Branch, Coimbatore and thereafter the transferred to the file of the Cyber Crime Wing, Coimbatore as against one Shruthi, Chitra, Prasanna Venkatesh and Subash. Thereafter, in the social media the petitioner's name and case details are posted by several persons. Therefore, the petitioner submitted representation seeking removal of his photos and other detailed in the social media such as YouTube, news agency and private channels.

¶3Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials placed before this Court.

¶4The learned Counsel for Government (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondents submitted that already some of the links were closed from publishing the petitioner's photo and other details. However some of the links were very much available in social media.

¶5In view of the above, the third respondent is directed to take appropriate steps to remove the petitioner's name, photos and other personal details in the social media such as YouTube, news agency and private channels, in pursuant to the registration of FIR in Crime No.2 of 2018 on the file of the Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, Coimbatore, as expeditiously as possible.

¶6With the above directions, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to cost.

18.06.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No Speaking/non-speaking order rts G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J, rts To

¶1The Secretary to Government, Union of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, 6 Lodhi Road, CGO Complex, PragatiVihar, Electronics Niketan, New Delhi – 110 003.

¶2The Director General of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004.

¶3The Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Office, Coimbatore – 641 018.

¶4The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court, Chennai.

18.06.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 18.06.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN G.Balamurugan S/o.Ganesan Door No.13/50, Sibasubramaniyan Nagar, Nehru Nagar West, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore – 641014. Currently residing at Untere Scholossstr.15, 73553 Alfdorf, Germany. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Union of India, Rep by the Secretary to Government, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, 6 Lodhi Road, CGO Complex, PragatiVihar, Electronics Niketan, New Delhi – 110 003. 2. The Director General of Police, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004. 3. The Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Office, Coimbatore – 641 018. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to consider his representation dated 21.08.2025 and to remove his name, photos and his personal details from telecasting in the YouTube, Social media and Private channels. For Petitioner : Mr.B.Thirumalai For Respondents For R2 & R3 : Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)