The Central Government has firmly refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that over 75 judges and Union ministers traveled to London for a badminton event, labeling these reports as “completely false and misleading.” This was articulated by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the government during proceedings at the Delhi High Court.
SG Mehta clarified that the images being shared, purportedly showing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, and Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Kiren Rijiju playing badminton, were actually from an event in Delhi last year. “They did not participate in any badminton tournament in London. CJI was in the UK, but he was there for meetings, including with the Chief Justice of the UK, and attended some official events. The ministers did not visit London during this period, and the claim that 75 judges were there is also false,” stated SG Mehta.
The submissions were made during a hearing of a plea by the Badminton Association of India (BAI), which sought the removal of the false news reports alleging the participation of judges in a government-sponsored badminton tournament in London. This case was heard by Justice Tejas Karia following an urgent listing requested earlier that day.
Social media had been abuzz with allegations that approximately 75 Indian judges, alongside the Union ministers and CJI Kant, traveled to London at taxpayers’ expense for a badminton tournament. These claims raised concerns about judicial independence, public expenditure, and the ethics of judges and government officials attending a sporting event together during a time of widespread calls for austerity.
Nevertheless, the government’s fact-checking division, PIB Fact Check, dismissed several core allegations. It clarified that the photographs of Rijiju and Meghwal allegedly participating in the London event were actually from a badminton tournament held at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi in November 2025, not London.
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Senior Advocate Apoorv Kurup, representing the BAI, highlighted various posts and videos falsely suggesting the presence of judges and ministers at the event. “The sport has been unfairly turned into a disparaging activity, which is concerning as it undermines both the judiciary and the integrity of the sport itself,” stressed Kurup, urging for the removal of such misleading content.
SG Mehta emphasized that despite the government’s fact-checking efforts debunking these allegations, the misinformation continues to proliferate online. He advocated for a thorough investigation to identify the origin of the deceptive content.
Following the submissions, Justice Karia indicated that appropriate orders would be issued in due course.
