The Delhi High Court has directed that the URLs of a song by Yo Yo Honey Singh, released in 2006 to 2007 and featuring both Honey Singh and Badshah, be taken down from all social media platforms and sharing platforms. The court held that the song is obscene, vulgar, and derogatory towards women and stated that such content cannot be allowed in the name of artistic freedom. The High Court has issued notice to the respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on May 7, 2026.
What the Court Said
The Delhi High Court’s direction to remove the song’s URLs from all social media and sharing platforms is based on its finding that the content of the track crosses the line between artistic expression and material that is obscene, vulgar, and derogatory toward women. The court explicitly rejected the defence of artistic freedom as a justification for maintaining such content in public circulation, drawing a clear line between protected creative expression and content that degrades women to a degree that warrants judicial intervention.
The order to take down URLs from all social media platforms and sharing platforms is comprehensive in its scope, covering not just the original upload but any URL through which the song is accessible online. This would include platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, X, Facebook, and any other platform where the song or clips from it are shared or streamed.
The Background — A Song That Has Persisted for Nearly Two Decades
The song in question was released approximately 19 to 20 years ago during the early phase of Honey Singh’s career, before he became one of India’s most commercially successful music artists, and featuring Badshah, who has since become one of Bollywood’s most prominent rap and pop artists in his own right. The song predates both artists’ mainstream commercial success and belongs to the underground and semi-commercial Punjabi music circuit of the mid-2000s.
The fact that a song from 2006 to 2007 is the subject of a High Court takedown order in 2026 reflects a specific dynamic of the digital age. Content that was produced and distributed in physical or limited digital form two decades ago has found a second life through streaming platforms, YouTube uploads, social media shares, and reels, exposing it to audiences who may not have encountered it in its original distribution window and amplifying its reach far beyond what its creators could have anticipated when it was made.
The Artistic Freedom Question
The Delhi High Court’s explicit rejection of artistic freedom as a defence for retaining the song online is the legally significant element of the order beyond the immediate takedown direction. Courts in India have been increasingly called upon to balance freedom of speech and artistic expression under Article 19 of the Constitution against protections for women’s dignity and public decency under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.
The court’s position that obscene, vulgar, and derogatory content toward women cannot be sheltered by artistic freedom arguments establishes a clear judicial stance that will be relevant to the May 7 hearing when the matter comes up for detailed consideration. The respondents, which include the platforms and potentially the artists or rights holders, will have the opportunity to present their arguments before the court at that stage.
What Happens Next
The immediate effect of the High Court’s direction is that the URLs of the song must be taken down from social media and sharing platforms as directed. The notice issued to respondents means the parties involved have been formally brought into the proceedings and will need to appear or respond before May 7. The full hearing on May 7 will determine the longer-term status of the takedown, whether additional directions are issued, and whether the court’s interim order becomes a permanent one.
For Honey Singh and Badshah, both of whom have built substantial mainstream careers since this song was released nearly two decades ago, the High Court proceedings bring unwanted legal attention to early career material that does not represent their current public personas. Neither artist has responded publicly to the court’s order at time of publication.
This article is based on publicly reported information about the Delhi High Court’s direction regarding the Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah song as of April 2, 2026. The matter is listed for further hearing on May 7, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.