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A single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait has directed Google Inc and Facebook to block 25 different websites, accounts and pages accused of infringing the "Aaj Tak" trademark. Earlier, the court had granted Living Media India Ltd - the parent company of Aaj Tak - a similar relief against 4 defendants.

It has been argued that the websites were attempting to pass off as Aaj Tak, in a bid to mislead consumers into believing that these "anonymous" websites are somehow related to the Aaj Tak brand.

Google, Facebook, other domain name registrars have been issued notice returnable in 6 weeks, and the various websites have also been impleaded as parties in the matter. 

The parent company also argued that the infringement was causing loss to the brand's goodwill and reputation. Prima-facie agreeing with the plaintiff, the bench granted an ex-parte injunction in favour of Aaj Tak, directing Google and Facebook to block/suspend 25 such pages called 'Aaj Tak Live', 'Aaj Tak India News', 'E-Aaj Tak', etc.

It was also argued that the "recent proliferation of anonymous websites is not a mere coincidence but is actuated by malafide to take advantage of the vulnerability of innocent viewers in such unprecedented times of the pandemic and ride upon the stronghold enjoyed by Aaj Tak".