Raj HC directs Meta to remove false FB post claiming minor girl missing, holds misleading social media posts violate right to dignity

Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has held that posting misleading information on social media that falsely portrays an individual as missing or otherwise damages their dignity and privacy constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Court also directed Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, to block and remove a misleading post that falsely claimed a minor girl was missing and offered a reward for information about her whereabouts.

The order was passed by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand in S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 1497/2020, Aaradhya Verma (Minor) through Natural Guardian Nilima Verma vs State of Rajasthan & Ors., decided on March 5, 2026.

The Court observed that dissemination of false or misleading information on social media platforms, particularly when it invades privacy or harms reputation, amounts to an infringement of personal dignity and liberty protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The case was filed by a minor girl through her mother seeking protection from her paternal grandparents and other relatives. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the petitioner’s mother had married Atul Kant Verma in 2010, and the petitioner was born in 2013. After the death of her father in 2015, the minor had been living with her mother in Jaipur. mother

According to the petition, the minor’s grandparents had allegedly uploaded a Facebook post stating that their granddaughter was missing from Ahmedabad and that anyone who found her would be rewarded with Rs.1,00,000. The petitioner contended that after the post appeared on Facebook, several unknown persons began visiting their residence attempting to trace the child in order to claim the reward, causing fear and disturbance to the family.

The respondents opposed the petition and denied having posted any such message on Facebook. It was also argued that the grandmother had already passed away and the grandfather, aged about 70 years, had neither uploaded any missing post nor announced any reward. The respondents contended that the petition had been filed unnecessarily to harass them. mother

After hearing the parties and examining the material on record, the Court noted that it was undisputed that the minor was residing with her mother in Jaipur and had not been reported missing. No Missing Person Report had been lodged with any police station by the respondents. mother

However, the Court observed that the misleading post claiming that the child was missing remained visible on Facebook and had resulted in several unknown persons visiting the child’s residence in search of her. Such conduct, the Court held, interfered with the personal liberty and dignity of the minor.

The Court further observed that social media platforms can cause serious harm to the dignity and reputation of individuals if false or misleading information is circulated online. It emphasized the need for effective regulation and accountability mechanisms to balance freedom of expression with the protection of individual rights, particularly those of vulnerable persons such as children.

Referring to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 framed under Section 87 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Court noted that intermediaries are required to exercise due diligence and prohibit users from posting patently false or misleading information, impersonation, defamation, or content invading privacy. mother

Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, the Court directed Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, to take appropriate steps to block or remove the misleading post and photographs of the minor from its platform.

The Court also directed that a copy of the order be sent to the registered office of Meta Platforms Inc. in India along with details of the offending post.

Case Title
Aaradhya Verma (Minor) through Natural Guardian Nilima Verma vs State of Rajasthan & Ors. mother

Case Number
S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous (Petition) No. 1497/2020 mother

Court
High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur mother

Bench
Hon’ble Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand mother

Date of Order
05 March 2026 mother

Advocates
For the Petitioner:
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sharma
Mr. Gaurav Sharma

For the Respondents:
Mr. Vivek Choudhary, Public Prosecutor
Mr. Tripurari Sharma mother