LONDON – On October 9, 2025, the UK High Court delivered a crushing blow to YouTuber Adil Farooq Raja, a former Pakistani army major, in a defamation case brought by retired Brigadier Rashid Nasir. Raja must now pay £50,000 in damages and roughly £300,000 in legal costs for spreading baseless claims. For instance, Raja accused Nasir of rigging elections, manipulating courts, and even plotting journalist Arshad Sharif’s 2022 murder in nine defamatory videos and posts since June 2022.

Although, Justice Richard Spearman KC rejected these allegations after a week-long trial starting July 21, 2025. Raja’s witnesses, including journalist Shaheen Sehbai, failed to provide credible evidence. As a result, the judge labeled the claims false and harmful, noting they endangered Nasir’s family, forcing them to relocate their children’s education to the US.

Additionally, the court clarified no Pakistani state institutions were involved. Nasir, who testified in person, hailed the ruling as vindication. Meanwhile, Raja, visibly upset, posted on X about appealing. Thus, the verdict reinforces accountability for online influencers, demanding solid proof for bold claims. Raja must now post a judgment summary admitting to the falsehoods.