“Shocked to the Core”: Delhi High Court orders ban on Honey Singh and Badshah’s controversial ‘Volume 1’

In a landmark ruling aimed at curbing obscenity on digital platforms, the Delhi High Court has ordered the immediate removal of the infamous song Volume 1 by rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah. On April 2, 2026, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed the artists, along with major streaming giants like YouTube and Spotify, to take down all URLs associated with the nearly two-decade-old track.

A Judicial “Conscience Shaken”

The order came after the judge reviewed the lyrics in his private chambers. In a stern observation, the Court stated that the song’s content was so “grossly vulgar” and “dehumanizing toward women” that its title could not even be recorded in the formal judicial order. Justice Kaurav remarked that this was a rare case where the “conscience of the court is shocked to its absolute core,” adding that no civilized society governed by the rule of law should permit such content to be monetized or accessed by minors.

The “Mafia Mundeer” Legacy

Released in the mid-2000s under the “Mafia Mundeer” collective, Volume 1 has long been a lightning rod for controversy. While it played a pivotal role in the early underground careers of both Honey Singh and Badshah, it has faced relentless criticism for its explicit and derogatory language. The petition for its removal was filed by the Hindu Shakti Dal, which argued that the song lacks any artistic or social value and serves only to objectify women.

The Court has granted the Union Government the authority to block any derivative versions or remixes identified by the petitioner. While Honey Singh and Badshah have frequently feuded over credit for their early collaborations, they now find themselves united by this legal mandate to erase the track from their digital legacies. The matter is listed for further hearing on May 7, 2026, to ensure total compliance across all social media and music platforms.