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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UP: Fake IAS officer marries woman, flees with Rs 15 lakh dowry
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): A newly married man fled with the Rs 15 lakh given to him as dowry by the bride's family, and it came to light later that he was an alleged serial scammer, police said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Pritam Kumar Nishad from Etawah, allegedly posed as an IAS officer to deceive the woman into marrying him. He is currently absconding with his sister, and a case has been filed against him for cheating, dowry harassment, and forgery, officials said.
According to the police, the woman's family claimed that they spent nearly Rs 30 lakh for the wedding that was solemnised on March 11.
The match was arranged through a matrimonial group, where the accused introduced himself as an IAS officer, sharing purported interview clips, office visuals, and photographs with politicians to gain the family's trust.
Despite initially claiming he would marry without dowry, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 15 lakh shortly before the engagement. The bride's family paid Rs 10 lakh in cash during the engagement and the remaining Rs 5 lakh on the wedding day, the police said.
The fraud came to light on Saturday after the woman reached Etawah, and a wedding attendee informed the family that the accused was not a civil servant. When her relatives visited the address provided by him, they found her in a small rented room, while the accused and his sister had fled, the police added.
The woman has also alleged that the accused planned to take her to Goa and sell her, and accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
The police suspect that the accused may have been involved in multiple such marriages in the past. Based on a complaint lodged at the cantonment police station, an FIR was registered on Saturday evening.
Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh said efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
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