Delhi court closes ANI–YouTuber Thugesh copyright dispute following settlement

New Delhi: A Delhi court has closed the copyright infringement suit filed by Asian News International (ANI) against YouTuber Mahesh Rajesh Keshwala, known online as Thugesh, after the parties reached a settlement, according to LiveLaw. 

The decision was issued by District Judge Pulastya Pramachala of the Patiala House Courts, who decreed the suit following a joint statement submitted by both sides.

The counsels informed the court that the dispute had been resolved and that ANI had no further claims against the YouTuber. In its order, the court noted that the settlement was recorded in a joint application under Order XXIII Rule 3 read with Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code dated November 4, 2025.

“In view of joint statement and the agreement between the parties… the suit filed by plaintiff is decreed against defendant no.1. This suit is decreed under Order XXIII Rule 3 CPC,” the order stated. The court also directed that the entire court fee paid by ANI be refunded, with a certificate to be issued accordingly.

ANI had originally sought a permanent and mandatory injunction, along with damages, alleging copyright infringement, piracy, plagiarism, and unjust enrichment. The agency accused Thugesh of using four of its news videos on his YouTube channel without authorisation. 

ANI argued that the uploads constituted unauthorised reproductions of its original work and were posted to generate viewership and revenue at the agency’s expense.