Indian court orders social media platforms to remove documentary featuring Modi-Adani ties

An Indian court has ordered YouTube, X and Instagram to remove an online documentary accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani of cronyism, following a legal challenge by Adani Enterprises.

According to The Independent, which reported the development on October 27, the Calcutta High Court issued an interim order directing the removal of several posts featuring the 36-minute documentary, titled The Friendship Files, and restraining its creator, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia, from distributing the film.

The order will remain in force until January 31, 2027, with further hearings expected in January.

Reuters reported that Adani Enterprises approached the court, arguing that the documentary contained false claims and had prompted inquiries from some of its investors. The company told the court that it did not seek to prevent constructive criticism of government policy or business concentration but alleged that Bhatia had withheld material facts.

In its order, the court described the documentary as “a dramatised narrative” rather than a news report or an account of legal proceedings.

Film examines Modi-Adani ties

The documentary uses archival footage to trace the relationship between Modi and Adani, both of whom hail from the western Indian state of Gujarat.

It raises questions about Adani's successful bids for six airports in 2019 following a change in government rules. Critics have alleged that the change benefited Adani's business interests, claims similar to those raised by India's opposition Congress party.

The Adani Group has denied allegations of preferential treatment, while the Indian government has maintained that the relevant regulations were followed and that no favouritism occurred.

Modi's political opponents have repeatedly accused his government of maintaining close ties with Adani and providing favourable treatment to his business empire. Both the government and the Adani Group have rejected the allegations.

Bhatia challenges takedown

Bhatia, who is based in the United States, said on X that the lawsuit sought 500 million rupees, equivalent to about $5.25 million, in damages.

“Truth is on my side,” he wrote in one post, adding that he believed the documentary had unsettled Adani Enterprises and drawn attention at the highest levels.

Adani Enterprises, Modi's office, Bhatia and the social media companies did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The legal action followed a takedown notice issued to Bhatia by police in Maharashtra on October 19. The state is governed by an alliance led by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The notice alleged that the documentary made serious, unsubstantiated claims.

The film had gained millions of views across social media in recent days. Opposition figures also shared it online.

Regional opposition leader Raj Thackeray, a critic of Modi, removed the documentary from his X account after receiving a request from the Mumbai police commissioner. The post had attracted 4.8 million views.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Mahua Moitra said on Monday that the documentary remained available on her X timeline after she posted it on October 11.

The court's order comes amid continuing political disputes over the relationship between India's political leadership and major corporate groups, with the government and Adani Group repeatedly rejecting allegations of favouritism.