New Delhi, April 3 -- The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the immediate takedown of the two-decade-old song Volume 1 by singers Honey Singh and Badshah from all platforms, observing that it was "grossly vulgar," "obscene," and "derogatory towards women," designed to "normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification." The song was released by the singers in 2006-07 under their collaboration titled Mafia Mundeer. A bench of justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, hearing a petition filed by Hindu Shakti Dal seeking the song's removal, observed that the lyrics were not merely offensive but were "ex facie calculated to normalise the portrayal of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification." The court said that permitting the dissemination of such content online, including access by minors, cannot be justified under the guise of artistic freedom of speech. It directed the two singers, and any other persons claiming rights in the song, to take it down from all social media platforms. "This is one of the rare cases where the conscience of the court is shocked to its absolute core. It is one of those unfortunate instances where the court finds that the song is grossly vulgar, patently obscene, and derogatory towards women, artistic values, and social norms. The lyrics are not merely disrespectful or offensive but are ex facie calculated to normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification," the court said. "Interim directions are required to be issued, as allowing dissemination of such content on online platforms, including access by minors, cannot be countenanced under the guise of artistic freedom of speech. No civilised society can permit such content to remain freely available or be monetised. [Honey Singh] and [Badshah] and any other persons claiming rights in the impugned obscene song(s), are directed to immediately take down the URLs hosting such content from social media platforms or any other online locations," the bench noted. The bench noted that the song was heard in chambers earlier in the morning, and its title was found to be so objectionable that it could not be reproduced in the order. The court issued notice to Honey Singh and Badshah and fixed May 7 as the next date of hearing. In its petition, Hindu Shakti Dal stated that the song was uploaded on YouTube by various users under different handles, where it garnered millions of views. The plea also claimed that over the years, Honey Singh and Badshah had denied performing the track. However, it alleged that verses of the song were performed during a concert in Delhi on March 14. During the hearing, the lawyer for search engine giant Google said the URLs identified in the petition had been taken down and that details of the grievance redressal mechanism are publicly available....