HC orders two YouTubers to delete 'defamatory' videos against BJP minister Girish Mahajan
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court has ordered deletion of six videos uploaded by two YouTubers against Maharashtra Water Resources Minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan, noting that they were "prima facie defamatory".
A bench of Justice Arif Doctor in its order passed on May 8 said after having watched the videos, a case for grant of interim relief has been made out.
"The statements made by defendants in the videos as discerned from the transcripts are in my prima facie view per se defamatory," the HC said.
The court directed the defendants to immediately take down/delete the six videos uploaded by them on YouTube.
It also restrained them from uploading any more such videos or posts that would be defamatory against Mahajan.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing on June 20.
Mahajan had filed a defamation suit against one Anil Thatte and one more person claiming that they had made false, reckless and unsubstantiated allegations against him.
In an interim application, Mahajan sought the high court to direct the duo to delete the six videos uploaded on their YouTube channel that made defamatory remarks against him.
Five of these were published on the YouTube channel "Anil Gaganbhedi Thatte", run by YouTuber and journalist Anil Thatte, while one appeared on "Mudda Bharat Ka", operated by one Shyam Giri.
Mahajan's counsel Ravi Kadam said false statements and insinuations are made in the videos regarding Mahajan's conduct with a lady IAS officer.
Kadam said all these statements and insinuations were completely reckless, false and per se defamatory.
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Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
