Delhi HC flags Jurisdiction In YouTuber Mohak Mangal’s Plea To Transfer ANI Suit
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, 10 July 2025, heard a plea filed by YouTuber Mohak Mangal seeking the transfer of a copyright and trademark infringement suit filed by Asian News International (ANI) from the Patiala House Court to the High Court.
A bench led by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani flagged the jurisdiction issue and granted time to the counsel appearing for Mangal to place relevant documents on record.
Appearing for Mangal, Advocate Nakul Gandhi told the court at the outset that two suits had been filed by ANI media. One pending before the Delhi High Court and the other before the Patiala House Court.
Referring to the suit before the High Court as 'Suit 1' and the one before Patiala House Court as 'Suit 2,' Gandhi submitted that the prayers in both matters were similar, and therefore, he sought the transfer of Suit 2 to the High Court.
On the other hand, Advocate Siddhant Kumar, appearing for ANI, strongly opposed the transfer plea. He contended that the two suits were based on entirely independent causes of action.
“These are commercial suits. Your Lordship will see that under Section 15(5) of the Commercial Courts Act, the power to transfer such matters lies with the Commercial Appellate Division of the High Court,” Kumar submitted.
Hearing the submission, the judge remarked," Jurisdictional Issue? Can I even hear the matter?"
In response, Advocate Gandhi sought time to place relevant orders on record to clarify the legal position.
The High Court accordingly ordered,“After hearing some submissions on behalf of the petitioner, Mr. Sidhant Kumar, counsel for the respondent, pointed out other objections as well. He submitted that as per Section 15(5) of the Commercial Courts Act, the present petition is required to be filed before the Commercial Appellate Division of the High Court and is not maintainable before this bench. Mr. Gandhi seeks time to clarify the above issues. List on July 15."
On 29 May 2025, the Delhi High had directed YouTube influencer Mohak Mangal to remove defamatory content against news agency ANI from the impugned video titled 'I am Mohak and I am not scared'.
The matter was heard by the bench of Justice Amit Bansal.
The bench remarked, "I am giving a reasonable suggestion to you. You have a dispute with them, that's all right. But you cannot make such statements"
The dispute arose after ANI filed a defamation suit against Mohak, alleging that the influencer published false and damaging statements in response to copyright strikes issued by the media outlet.
Case Title: Mohak Mangal vs ANI