Delhi High Court orders Wikipedia to remove page on ongoing defamation case by ANI
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed Wikipedia to remove a page related to the ongoing defamation case filed against it by Asian News International (ANI). The order was issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela during a hearing on Wednesday.
The Court expressed disapproval over the existence of the page titled "Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation," stating, "First take down the Wiki page on this matter then we will hear." This ruling comes in response to an appeal from Wikipedia challenging a prior order that required a representative of the platform to appear personally in court.
The dispute arose after ANI accused Wikipedia of defamation, claiming the platform allowed users to make derogatory edits that labelled the news agency as a "propaganda tool" for the current Central government. Following the issuance of summons to Wikipedia on July 9, the High Court demanded that the platform disclose the identities of three individuals who made edits to ANI's Wikipedia page.
ANI later filed a contempt application against Wikipedia, asserting that it failed to comply with the Court's order. Wikipedia's counsel explained that their delayed appearance was due to the platform not being based in India. However, Justice Navin Chawla expressed strong concerns about Wikipedia's actions, ordering a representative to appear in court on October 25.
During earlier hearings, the Division Bench had rebuked Wikipedia for allowing the contentious page to be published and instructed the platform to seek instructions for its removal. The Court noted that Wikipedia's refusal to disclose the identities of the editors jeopardised its safe harbour protection under the Information Technology Act, thus compelling it to defend the lawsuit.
In today's hearing, the Court reiterated its concerns about the malicious potential of the page, questioning what actions Wikipedia would take if defamatory content were written about the bench itself. Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Wikipedia, stated that the platform operates under a self-regulation policy and acts on court orders. However, Justice Gedela challenged this stance, highlighting the platform's apparent inaction.
The Court has mandated that the page be removed within 36 hours, with the next hearing scheduled for October 21.
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Karnataka Congress MLA Gaviyappa wants CM to stop some poll guarantees, draws DK Shivakumar's ire
Bengaluru/Vijayanagara, Nov 26: Karnataka Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to drop some poll guarantees, citing lack of funds, which drew sharp response from Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.
The ruling party MLA from Vijayanagara suggested that the election guarantees have made it difficult to provide houses to the poor in the state.
“Because of guarantee schemes, there is difficulty in providing houses to poor. We are also asking the Chief Minister to drop two or three schemes, which are not needed. Let’s see what the Chief Minister says,” Gaviyappa said in a public meeting in Vijayanagara.
He, however, maintained that he would stand by the decision taken by the Chief Minister.
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According to the Congress MLA, the CM raised Rs 40,000 crore this year keeping development in mind.
The legislator's statement irked Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.
“This is Congress party. I am going to issue him a showcause notice. He can’t do that. No question of closing any guarantee. We have committed to the people of Karnataka. No one can raise their voice (against the guarantees),” the Deputy CM, who is also the Congress state president told media in Bengaluru.
He said a Congress MLA cannot speak against the guarantees.
Those who are ineligible will not get the benefit, Shivakumar said adding the same policy has been adopted in the recent revision of BPL cards.
The Karnataka government has decided to remove the government employees and income tax payees from the list of BPL card holders as per the Central government norms.
