The Court held that where alleged online defamation occurs across jurisdictions including the place where the defendants reside, the suit must necessarily be instituted at that place. The Court further clarified that since jurisdiction itself failed, other issues including merits did not arise for consideration. On the contrary, the plaintiff broadly contended that jurisdiction existed in Delhi because the allegedly defamatory content was accessible and viewed in Delhi and caused reputational harm there. Accordingly, the Court held that the Merger Rule applied with full force and that jurisdiction lay only with courts in Mumbai. Case Title: Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede v Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt Ltd & OrsJudgment date: 29.01.2026Bench: Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav