ANI files defamation suit in Delhi HC against YouTuber Mohak Mangal; Kamra, Zubair also named
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New Delhi: Asian News International (ANI) has filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against YouTuber Mohak Mangal over allegations made in a recent video accusing the news agency of extortion and blackmail. The suit, filed through Advocate Akshit Mago, is listed for hearing on May 29.
Alongside Mangal, the suit also names comedian Kunal Kamra and AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair as defendants for sharing the controversial video on their social media handles.
The video in question, published by Mangal on May 25, alleges that ANI filed copyright strikes on his YouTube channel for using short news clips. Mangal claims he was subsequently contacted by a representative of ANI who demanded over ₹40 lakh to remove the strikes.
In its plea, ANI contends that Mangal’s video is defamatory and falsely accuses the agency of unethical conduct. The agency argues that Mangal himself admitted to using ANI's copyrighted material for profit, yet went on to publish “false and damaging” content targeting ANI’s reputation and services offered under its registered trademarks.
ANI further claims that the video was intended to mislead the public, harm its credibility, and discourage the use of its services. The suit also alleges that Kamra, Zubair, and others not only shared the video but published additional “baseless and malicious statements” aimed at tarnishing the image of ANI and its founders.
The news agency has sought the following relief from the High Court:
* A permanent and mandatory injunction against Mohak Mangal, requiring the removal of the video and restraining him from using ANI’s trademarks or publishing further defamatory content.
* Similar restraining orders against Kamra, Zubair, and other individuals who shared or commented on the video, prohibiting them from making or circulating defamatory statements regarding ANI.
The matter is expected to be taken up by the Delhi High Court on May 29.
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NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.
The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.
On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.
"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.
The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.
After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.
