A High Court judge has ruled that TikTok creator Harnoor Gill defamed Wellington businessman Amandeep Bakshi by posting a video containing serious allegations about his treatment of employees.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, Gill posted the 10-minute video in July 2025 without naming Bakshi, but described him as a Wellington employer who “owns many shops, kebab shops and liquor stores too”. Bakshi argued the description was enough for people who knew him to identify him.
Justice Rachel Dunningham found the video defamatory, while former employee Paras Kamboj was also found liable after reposting it on Instagram. Neither Gill nor Kamboj filed a defence or appeared at the hearing.
The video, posted under the TikTok account “oppression.unfold”, attracted more than 11,000 views, along with hundreds of likes, comments and shares, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Bakshi told the court the allegations were “completely false” and said he was “shocked and in complete disbelief” after seeing the video. He said people in his community had contacted him about the allegations and some had “reduced or ceased communication” with him, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Justice Dunningham found the video had seriously damaged Bakshi’s reputation and caused distress to him and his family, although there was insufficient evidence to establish that his business had been financially harmed.
“The combination of the description of him as the owner of specific types of businesses in the Wellington area, and the surrounding context, was sufficient to identify him to those who knew him,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
The judge described the allegations as extremely serious.
“I am satisfied that the defamatory statements were seriously defamatory. To be accused of “forcing” women to sleep with him, of exploiting and harassing his staff and ex-staff, and of threatening to have individuals’ families kidnapped or killed, are all extremely serious allegations, the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
“They do not just reflect poorly on his character, but suggest he has engaged in serious criminal conduct,” as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Bakshi was awarded $100,000 in damages against Gill and $50,000 against Kamboj, along with $51,279 in costs, as reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Justice Dunningham also ruled that Kamboj’s decision to repost the video amounted to publication of the defamatory material.
“That repost was repetition of a defamatory statement and therefore the second defendant is also liable for its publication,” the New Zealand Herald has quoted.