No name was mentioned, but a Tik Tok video voiced in Punjabi was sufficient to identify Wellington businessman Amandeep Bakshi awarded $150,000 damages after a former employee assisted in online publication of defamatory comments variously accusing Mr Bakshi of bribery, exploiting employees, sexual misconduct and threatening to kill.
Harnoor Gill was ordered to pay $100,000 damages for posting a Tik Tok video she scripted and fronted; former employee Paras Kamboj $50,000 damages for providing at least some of the defamatory information provided to Ms Gill and then reposting her video to his Instagram account.
Neither appeared in court to defend Mr Bakshi’s claim.
Mr Bakshi owns Nirmal 0013 Ltd, operating bottle stores and hospitality businesses across Wellington.
Mr Kamboj previously worked for Nirmal, his employment terminated about three weeks before Ms Gill’s ten minute Tik Tok video was posted in July 2025.
Her video was deleted three months later; receiving over 11,000 views and about 200 shares.
Accusations in this video were aimed at an ‘employer’ based in ‘Wellington’ who ‘owns many shops – kebab shops and liquor stores too.’
Mr Bakshi told the High Court both he and his family had been frequently questioned about the accusations, with customers and friends assuming the video referred to him.
These accusations had affected his business and personal reputation, he said.
Justice Dunningham ruled wording in the video did identify Mr Bakshi, even though he was not mentioned by name.
Statements made were clearly defamatory, she said.
Publication was limited to the Indian community with the video voiced in Punjabi, but this is a community that is important to Mr Bakshi and his standing within it, she said.
Bakshi v. Gill – High Court (7.08.26)
26.227