Elsevier Ltd. And Ors vs Alexandra Elbakyan And Ors on 9 December, 2025

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Delhi High Court - Orders

Elsevier Ltd. And Ors vs Alexandra Elbakyan And Ors on 9 December, 2025

Author: Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

Bench: Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora

                          $~8
                          *     IN THEHIGHCOURTOF DELHIATNEW DELHI
                          +     CS(COMM) 572/2020, I.A. 19762/2025, I.A. 19693/2023, I.A.
                                12668/2020, I.A. 11755/2021
                                ELSEVIER LTD. AND ORS.                                 .....Plaintiffs
                                                  Through: Mr. Amit Sibal, Sr. Adv. with Ms.
                                                             Sneha Jain, Ms. Snehima Jauhari, Ms.
                                                             Disha Sharma, Ms. Surabhi Pande &
                                                             Mr. Saksham Dhingra, Advs.
                                                  versus
                                ALEXANDRA ELBAKYAN AND ORS.                     .....Defendants
                                                  Through: Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, Ms. Indumugi
                                                             C., Mr. Naman Kumar, Ms. Avanti
                                                             Deshpande, Advs. for intervenor in
                                                             I.A. 14908/2021.
                                                             Mr. Rohan Jaitely, CGSC, Mr. Dev
                                                             Pratap Shahi, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh
                                                             & Mr. Yogya Bhatia, Advs. for D-12
                                                             and 13.
                                                             Mr. Aditya Guha, Adv. with Mr.
                                                             Anand Kumar Soni, Advs. for
                                                             applicants in IA No 8366/2021.
                                                             Mr. K.G. Gopalakrishnan, Mr. Girish
                                                             Kaul & Ms. Aishwarya Rana, Advs.
                                                             for D-5.
                          CORAM:
                          HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA
                                                  ORDER

% 09.12.2025 I.A. 11755/2021(under Order XXXIX Rule 2A of CPC)

1. This is an application filed by the plaintiffs under Order XXXIX Rule 2A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

2. Mr. Amit Sibal, learned senior counsel for the plaintiffs' state that plaintiffsare already pursuing its remedies in I.A. 19762/2025 and is therefore not pressing for any further orders in this application.

CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 1 of 9

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 12/12/2025 at 20:58:55

3. Accordingly, this application is disposed of as not pressed. I.A. 19693/2023(under Order VI Rule 17 of CPC)

4. This application under Order VI Rule 17 of CPChas been filed by defendant no. 1 seeking amendment of its written statement.

5. None has appeared on behalf of defendant no. 1.

6. This application is dismissed for non-prosecution. I.A. 197/2021(under Order I R 10 CPC)

7. Thisapplication under Order I Rule 10(2) of CPC read with Section 151 of CPC has been filed on behalf of 'Society for Delhi Science Forum' and 'Society for Knowledge Commons' [collectively referred to as 'applicants'] seeking theirimpleadment under Order 1 Rule 10 CPC in the present proceedings.

8. None appears on behalf of the applicants.

9. This application is dismissed for non-prosecution. I.A. 8366/2021(Order I R 10 CPC)

10. This application under Order I Rule 10 of CPC has been filed by a registered society namely 'The Forum for Medical Ethics Society' ['applicant']for itsimpleadment in the present proceedings.

11. This application was disposed of on 10.02.2022 for non-appearance of the applicant, thereafter the application was restored on 01.04.2022 at the request of the applicant.

12. None appears on behalf of the applicant today as well.

13. This application is dismissed for non-prosecution. I.A. 14908/2021(under Order I Rule 8A CPC)

14. This is an application under Order I Rule 8A of CPC and Order I Rule 10(2) of CPC read with Section 151 of CPC filed by third-parties seeking CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 2 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

15. Ms. Vrinda Bhandari, learned counsel for the applicant states that she has instructions to withdraw this application.

16. The application is dismissed as withdrawn, without any liberty reserved.

I.A. 20156/2025 (seeking leave to file document in a pendrive)

17. This application under Section 151 of the CPC has been filed by the plaintiffsseeking permission to file the pen-drive containing the evidence pertaining to the contemptuous activities of defendant no. 1.

18. The plaintiffsare directed to file thepen-drive in accordance with the Rule 24 of Chapter XI of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018.

19. Registry may receive electronic record on pen-drive so long as it is encrypted with a hash value or in any other non-editable format. The content contained in the pen-drive be placed in the electronic record of the present suit in a format which is non-editable, so that the same can be viewed by the court during hearing.

20. With the aforesaid directions, this application stands disposed of. I.A. 20186/2025(seeking exemption from filing the duly apostilled declaration on oath)

21. This application under Section 151 of CPC has been filed by the plaintiffs seeking exemption from filing the duly apostilled declaration on oath dated 08.08.2025 on behalf of Mr. Cristin Birch within two (2) weeks.

22. In view of the reasons stated in the application, the plaintiffsare granted two (2) weeks to file the duly apostilled declaration on oath dated 08.08.2025 on behalf of Mr. Cristin Birch.

23. With the aforesaid directions, this application stands disposed of.

CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 3 of 9

This is a digitally signed order.

24. Mr. Amit Sibal, learned senior counsel for the plaintiffs states that in view of the directions issued by the Court in its orders dated 13.05.2022 and 25.07.2022, the reliefs sought in this application already stands granted and the plaintiffsare not seeking any further orders.

25. The application is disposed of in terms of the orders dated 13.05.2022 and 25.07.2022.

I.A. 29982/2025(seeking to bring on record subsequent events and for extension of directions passed vide order dated 19.08.2025)

26. Thisapplication under Section 151 of CPC has been filed by the plaintiffsseekingto bring on record events subsequent to the order dated 19.08.2025 and for extension of directionspassedvide order dated 19.08.2025 to additional mirror domains.

27. Mr. Amit Sibal, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the plaintiffs sets out the case of the plaintiffs as under: -

27.1. He states that after 19.08.2025 defendant no. 1 has published statements on Sci-Hubnotifying users that Sci-Hub has been blocked in India and informing them of ways to circumvent the blocks. He refers to screenshots taken from the said Sci-Hub domains.

27.2. He states that defendant no. 1 has also provided links to additional mirrors/domains that provide access to Sci-Hub;all of which are presently accessible in India. It is submitted that the plaintiffs' copyright works are available for viewingand downloading on the said Sci-Hubdomains in violation of the undertaking dated 24.12.2020 given by defendant no. 1.The details of the additional mirrors/domains are set out at paragraph 16 of the application.

CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 4 of 9

This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 12/12/2025 at 20:58:55 27.3. He states that the plaintiffs have identified additional mirror websites, redirects and alpha numeric variations of the Sci-Hub domains, which continue to make available the plaintiffs' copyright works. It is stated that the plaintiffs have also identified various third-party websites, which provide users with links to Sci-Hub domains.

27.4. He states that the Sci-Hubdomainsidentified by the plaintiffs are existingmirrors, redirections, or alphanumeric variations,which continue to be in wilful disregard of the undertaking of defendant no. 1 dated 24.12.2020 and thereby renders otiosethe effect of the order dated 19.08.2025. The additional domains are listed at paragraph 18 of this application.

27.5. In addition, he states that the Sci-Hubwebsite and the Sci-Netsub- domains identified in the order dated 19.08.2025, though blocked by the Internet Service Providers ['ISPs'], continue to be accessible from the associated primary domain. The said domains are enlisted at paragraph 19 of this application.

27.6. He has handed over an Annexure-A, which enlists the list of websites, their categorisation as per UTV Software Communication Ltd. and Others v. 1337x.to and Others1, and the evidence available on record substantiating the submissions of the plaintiffs that its copyright works are available on these websites.

28. In these facts, the plaintiffsareseeking blocking of the additional Sci- Hub domains, enlisted in the said Annexure A.

29. Issue notice.

30. Mr. Yogya Bhatia, learned counsel on behalf of Mr. Rohan Jaitely, 1 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8002 CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 5 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

31. Mr. K.G. Gopalakrishnan, Advocate accepts notice on behalf of defendant no. 5.

32. None appears on behalf of defendant nos. 1, 3 to 11 (except defendant no. 5) despite advance service.

33. This Court has heard the learned senior counsel for the plaintiffs and perused the averments made in the application as well as the evidence filed in support thereof.

34. From the evidence placed on record and averments made in the captionedapplication, this Court is satisfied the additional websites [enlisted in Annexure-Ato thisorder]are infringing the plaintiffs' copyright works by providing unauthorised access to third-parties to the blocked Sci-Hub domains. This is in contravention of the undertaking dated 24.12.2020 and an attempt to negate the effect of the order dated 19.08.2025.

35. Accordingly, this Court deems it appropriate to extend the operation and directions contained in paragraph no. 26 of the order dated 19.08.2025 to the websites enlisted in Annexure-A to this order, which are primarily mirror websites, redirects and alphanumeric variations and associated domains of defendant no. 1 i.e., Sci-Hub and Sci-Net website.

36. Defendant nos. 3 to 13 are directed to ensure that the order dated 19.08.2025 is complied with, with respect to the domains already identified in the said order as well as the websites and domains identified in Annexure-A,annexed to this order.

37. Learned counsel for defendant nos. 12 and 13 states that necessary blocking ordersin terms of this Court's Order dated 19.08.2025 have already been issued. In this regard, he has handed over a copy of the order dated CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 6 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

37.1. However, in view of the assertions made by the plaintiffs at paragraph no. 19 of the captioned application, he states that defendant nos. 12 and 13 will verify the said assertions.

38. In addition, liberty is granted to the plaintiffs to move an appropriate application under Order I Rule 10 CPC in case it identifies any third-party websites, which are carrying out similar infringing activities as that of defendant no. 1, which stand injuncted.

39. Upon steps being taken by the plaintiffs' issue notice to defendant nos. 3 to 11 (except defendant no. 5) through e-mode and speed post.

40. Compliance affidavit be filed by defendant nos. 3 to 13 within four (4) weeks.

CS(COMM) 572/2020

41. None appears on behalf of defendant no. 1. Accordingly, defendant no. 1 is hereby proceeded ex-parte.

42. List on 17.02.2026.

43. The digitally signed copy of this order, duly uploaded on the official website of the Delhi High Court, www.delhihighcourt.nic.in, shall be treated as a certified copy of the order for the purpose of ensuring compliance. No physical copy of order shall be insisted by any authority/entity or litigant.

MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, J DECEMBER 9, 2025/ng/MG CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 7 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

1. sci-hub.ee Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.53-56 / pdf. 270-273

2. sci-hub.kvnp.top Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.56-59 / pdf. 273-276

3. pismin.com Mirror Pg.57-63 / pdf. 277-280

4. www.pismin.com Mirror Pg.64-67 / pdf. 281-284

5. sci-hub.al Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.68-71 / pdf. 285-288

6. sci- Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.71-75 / pdf. 288-291 hub.arizonastockbro ker.com

7. sci-hub.box Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.75-78 / pdf. 292-295

8. www.sci-hub.box Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.78-81 / pdf. 295-298

9. sci-hub.in Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.82-85 / pdf. 299-302

10. www.sci-hub.in Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.85-88 / pdf. 302-305

11. sci-hub.mk Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.89-92 / pdf. 306-309

12. www.sci-hub.mk Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.92-95 / pdf. 309-312

13. sci-hub.red Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.96-99 / pdf. 313-316

14. www.sci-hub.red Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.99-102 / pdf. 316-319

15. sci- Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.103-106 / pdf. 320- hub.sidesgame.com 323

16. sci- Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.106-110 / pdf. 323- hub.usualwant.com 327

17. sci-hub.vg Alphanumeric,mirror Pg.110-113 / pdf. 323- 330

18. wellesu.com Mirror Pg.114-117 / pdf. 331- 334

19. www.wellesu.com Mirror Pg.118-121/pdf.335- 338

20. tesble.com Mirror Pg.122-125/pdf.339- 342

21. www.tesble.com Mirror Pg.125-128/pdf.342- 345 CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 8 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 12/12/2025 at 20:58:55

22. sci-hub.sci-hub.se Alphanumeric andredirectsto Pg.129 / pdf. 346 sci-hub.se

23. sci-hub.scihubtw.tw Alphanumeric andredirectsto Pg. 130 / pdf 347 sci-hub.usualwant.com

24. scihubtw.tw Alphanumeric and Redirects Pg. 131 /Pdf. 348 to sci-hub.kvnp.top

25. scihub.wikicn.top Alphanumeric and redirects to Pg. 132 / Pdf. 349 www.pismin.com

26. www.sci-hub.ee Alphanumeric and redirects to Pg. 133 /Pdf. 50 sci-hub.sidesgame.com

27. www.sci- Alphanumeric and redirects to Pg. 133-134 / hub.usualwant.com sci-hub.usualwant.com Pdf.350-351

28. scihub2024.vercel.ap Alphanumeric/ Mirror and Pg. 135 /Pdf. 352 p Redirects tosci-hub.ru

29. sci-hub.shop Alphanumeric/ Mirror and Pg. 135 /Pdf. 352 Redirectstotesble.com

30. www.sci-hub.shop Alphanumeric/ Mirror and Pg. 136 /Pdf. 353 Redirectstotesble.com

31. lovescihub.wordpres Alphanumeric and aggregator Pg. 137 / Pdf. 354 s.com website

32. scihub.help Alphanumeric and aggregator Pg.138-140/Pdf.356- 357 website

33. sci-hub.pub Redirects to www.sci-hub.pub Pg. 140-141 / Pdf. 357- 358

34. www.sci-hub.pub Alphanumeric and aggregator Pg.141-142 / website Pdf.358-359

35. sci-hubse.com Alphanumeric and aggregator Pg. 142-143 / Pdf. 359 -

website 360

36. www.sci-hubse.com Redirects tosci-hubse.com Pg. 143-144 / Pdf. 360- 361

37. sci-hub.ru Primary domain of the domain Pg. 145-148 / Pdf. 362 -

blocked vide 19th August, 2025 366 order

38. sci-hub.se Primary domain of the domain Pg. 149-151 / Pdf. 367- blocked vide 19th August, 2025 369 order

39. sci-hub.st Primary domain of the domain Pg. 152-155 / Pdf. 370-

                                                                       blocked vide 19th August,      373
                                                                       2025 order
                               40.     sci-net.xyz                     Primary domain of the domain Pg. 155-158 / Pdf. 374 -

blocked vide 19th August, 2025 376Pg.163-172/Pdf.380- order 389 CS(COMM) 572/2020 Page 9 of 9 This is a digitally signed order.

The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 12/12/2025 at 20:58:55

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