A defamation case brought by Reckitt Benckiser India against prominent social media figures has moved toward resolution in the Delhi High Court. Dermatologist Dr. Manjot Marwah and influencer Raj Shamani have agreed to remove controversial content criticizing Dettol antiseptic liquid.
The dispute centered on a podcast where Dr. Marwah allegedly characterized Dettol as “essentially floor cleaning liquid” unsuitable for skin application, claiming it “burns wounds and delays healing.” An Instagram reel titled “Never Use Dettol on Your Skin” further amplified these claims, reaching over 2.4 million viewers.
Reckitt’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Chander Lall, vigorously contested these statements, emphasizing that Dettol has been licensed for skin use in India since 1936 and qualifies as a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee has recorded draft settlement terms requiring content removal within 24 hours. Influencer Ritik Chaturvedi, also named in the suit for sharing content, confirmed having already deleted the related materials.
During proceedings, Shamani’s representative stated, “I have come with an olive branch and a white flag,” while Dr. Marwah’s counsel confirmed the contentious reel had been removed.
The court awaits formal settlement documentation before officially concluding the case.
