YouTuber Adil Raja has lost a defamation case filed against him by Brigadier (R) Rashid Naseer in the London High Court. The court ruled in favor of Rashid Naseer, ordering Adil Raja to pay Rs. 130 million (approximately £300,000) in total damages and legal costs.
According to Judge Richard Spearman, Adil Raja defamed and falsely accused the retired brigadier through several online media posts. The court found that nine of Raja’s published items contained defamatory content, severely harming Rashid Naseer’s reputation.
The court further directed Adil Raja to pay £50,000 in compensation and approximately £300,000 in legal expenses. Additionally, the judge ordered him to publicly announce the court’s decision and acknowledge Rashid Naseer’s victory on all of his media platforms.
The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Adil Raja, who was unable to provide evidence supporting his allegations. The court emphasized that freedom of speech does not justify spreading false information that damages another person’s character or credibility.
This case has also reignited debates about responsibility in digital journalism and ethical boundaries for YouTubers and social media influencers. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has already distanced itself from Adil Raja and Haider Mehdi following earlier controversies.
With this judgment, the London High Court reaffirmed that online defamation carries serious legal and financial consequences, setting a precedent for accountability in digital media.
