Dettol vs Influencers: Raj Shamani and Dr Manjot Marwah Agree to Remove Content

In a major update to the viral controversy surrounding Dettol antiseptic liquid, influencer-entrepreneur Raj Shamani and dermatologist Dr Manjot Marwah have agreed to take down or edit their content that sparked a legal defamation battle with Reckitt Benckiser India, the company that markets Dettol.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2025, the Delhi High Court was informed that both parties are ready to settle the dispute out of court. As part of the proposed compromise, they must modify or remove the podcast and reel that allegedly misrepresented Dettol’s use.

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Dettol Drags Influencers Raj Shamani and Ritik Chaturvedi to Delhi High Court

What Triggered the Legal Action?

The case stems from an April 1 podcast titled “Skin Mistakes You Didn’t Know! Tanning & Sunburn EXPOSED”, featuring Dr. Marwah, Raj Shamani, and co-host Ritik Chaturvedi. The situation escalated further after an Instagram reel on April 5 boldly stated, “Never Use Dettol on Your Skin.”

In the video, Dr Marwah referred to Dettol as “essentially a floor cleaning liquid” and claimed it burns wounds and delays healing. Reckitt stated that the statements quickly went viral and spread false and damaging information about a product it has marketed for safe skin use in India since 1936.

Reckitt’s Response and Legal Argument

Reckitt Benckiser, through its senior legal counsel Chander M Lall, argued that the statements made in the podcast and reel were scientifically wrong, disparaging, and harmful to Dettol’s reputation. The company stated that Dettol is regulated under India’s Drugs and Cosmetics Act and listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a safe skin-use product.

The legal suit was filed as a civil defamation case, naming Shamani, Marwah, and Chaturvedi as defendants.

What the Court Said

Justice Saurabh Banerjee acknowledged the seriousness of the case and recorded the draft settlement between the parties. He also directed them to file a formal compromise application under Order 23 Rule 3 of the Civil Procedure Code to finalise the settlement.

During the hearing, the court was informed that:

• Dr Manjot Marwah had already removed the Instagram reel.
• Raj Shamani’s team assured that the podcast will be edited within 24 hours.
• Ritik Chaturvedi, who reshared a clip from the video, confirmed its removal and was warned not to share similar content again.

Justice Banerjee further instructed social media platforms to support content removal and highlighted the long-term reputational risks of viral misinformation.

What’s Next?

The court has instructed the parties to follow the agreed terms, even though it hasn’t passed the final settlement order yet. It will review the formal compromise application before officially closing the case.

This episode reminds us of how powerful influencer voices have become and how important it is to verify claims, especially when discussing products that impact public health. It also shows the legal consequences that can follow if brands feel their reputation is unfairly attacked online.

Summary

• Dettol’s maker, Reckitt Benckiser, sued Raj Shamani, Dr Manjot Marwah, and Ritik Chaturvedi.
• The case is linked to a viral podcast and reel that calls Dettol harmful to the skin.
• Influencers agreed to delete or edit the posts under a possible out-of-court settlement.
• The court acknowledged the draft terms, and the final decision is pending formal application.
• Influencers warned against repeating similar actions in the future.