Delhi HC directs Wikipedia to remove page with defamatory content on ANI
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ordered Wikimedia Foundation to remove the allegedly defamatory content and description of news agency Asian News International (ANI) on its Wikipedia page.
Justice Subramonium Prasad, who heard the petition, disposed of ANI’s plea for interim injunction asking for an order for the removal of the content and also to restrain Wikipedia from publishing the matter on the news agency's page on its platform.
In addition, ANI has filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Wikimedia Foundation for posting the content on the page, which says that ANI ‘has been criticized for having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government, distributing materials from a vast network of fake news websites, and misreporting events.’
The news agency has accused Wikimedia Foundation of publishing false and defamatory content with an intention of tarnishing the agency’s reputation and to discredit its goodwill.
The Delhi HC had directed Wikipedia in August 2024 to disclose to ANI the subscriber details of the three individuals available with it within two weeks.
Wikipedia, however, challenged the court order before the division bench, which later ordered that the page in question be taken down. The bench noted that adverse comments were made against the single judge on the page, saying it was prima facie contemptuous.
Wikipedia's petition in court was disposed of after both the parties entered into a consent order and resolved the matter. The division bench asked the single judge to proceed ahead with the defamation suit. In November, Justice Prasad had issued summons to three individuals who had allegedly edited the Wikipedia page of ANI.
Recently, the Supreme Court issued notice following Wikipedia's appeal against the order of the division bench to remove the Wikipedia page relating to the defamation dispute.
Senior advocate Jayant Mehta argued in the High Court on behalf of Wikipedia during the hearing on Wednesday, while advocate Sidhant Kumar represented ANI.
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Gold smuggling case: Judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, two others extended until Apr 21
Bengaluru, Apr 07 (PTI): A court here on Monday extended the judicial custody of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, and two others until April 21 in connection with a gold smuggling case. Ranya, businessman Tarun Raju, and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain are accused of orchestrating the illegal import of gold worth over Rs 12.56 crore from Dubai to India.
The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when Rao alias Harshavardhani Ranya was apprehended at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kilograms of gold allegedly smuggled from Dubai. Subsequent investigations revealed that Ranya had made 45 solo trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, raising suspicions of her involvement in a broader smuggling network.
Further scrutiny uncovered her association with Vira Diamonds Trading, a Dubai-based firm she co-founded in 2023 with actor and businessman Tarun Raju. Authorities allege that this company was used as a front for smuggling operations. Raju, also known as Virat Konduru, was arrested following evidence of his involvement in purchasing gold in Dubai and facilitating its illegal transport to India.
Investigations also implicated jeweller Sahil Jain, who is suspected of assisting Ranya in selling approximately 49 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at over Rs 40 crore. Jain allegedly managed hawala transactions, transferring significant sums to Dubai, and received commissions for his role in the operations.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has presented substantial evidence linking the accused to the smuggling activities. The court previously denied bail to Raju, citing the serious nature of the economic offense and potential flight risk due to his frequent international travel history.
