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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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
