Delhi HC rebukes Abhijit Iyer Mitra, orders takedown of posts against Newslaundry journalists
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed Abhijit Iyer Mitra to remove allegedly defamatory posts from his X (formerly Twitter) account targeting women journalists of the media outlet Newslaundry, before it would proceed to hear his defence in a defamation case.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, while hearing the matter, questioned the appropriateness of the language used in Mitra’s posts. “Can you defend these articles? These kind of languages, whatever may be background, can these kind of language against women \[be] permissible in the society? You must take down this. Then only we will hear you,” the judge reportedly said, according to LiveLaw.
Representing Mitra, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai agreed to comply with the court’s direction and take down the posts immediately.
“The court was of the prima facie view that the nature of the language used by the defendant is not permissible in any civilized society,” the court noted in its observations.
The case stems from a defamation suit filed by nine women journalists of Newslaundry against Mitra, alleging that he posted sexually abusive and derogatory content about them on his social media handle. The suit seeks a public apology and Rs. 2 crore in damages.
The plaintiffs include Newslaundry managing editor Manisha Pande, along with journalists Ishita Pradeep, Suhasini Biswas, Sumedha Mittal, Tista Roy Chowdhury, Tasneem Fatima, Priya Jain, Jayashree Arunachalam, and Priyali Dhingra. Newslaundry itself is also a petitioner in the case.
As interim relief, the petition seeks immediate removal of the objectionable posts from Mitra’s X handle.
The suit accuses Mitra of using misogynistic slurs, including labelling the women as “prostitutes” and calling their workplace a “brothel.” It further alleges that Newslaundry subscribers, comprising professionals across fields such as medicine, law, and education, were collectively referred to in derogatory terms in Hindi.
“No woman/person deserves to be dehumanised. No profession deserves to be weaponised as an insult. These remarks strip women, whether journalists or sex workers, of agency, identity, and respect,” the plea reads.
The plaintiffs argue that Mitra’s posts were “libellous, unfounded and misconceived,” and intended to malign the professional reputation and dignity of the women employees.
In response to the court’s directive, Mitra posted on X that he would comply out of respect for the court, though he continued to describe his posts as “poetic tweets” and reiterated his intent to challenge Newslaundry’s credibility in the main proceedings.
“I have full faith in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. They have asked me to take down my poetic tweets about NewsLaundry. I am complying with said order in deference to the Court,” he wrote.
He also alleged that Newslaundry’s legal representatives had avoided addressing his claims about the organisation’s funding and journalistic integrity.
In response, Newslaundry’s managing editor Manisha Pande posted a link to an article detailing the media platform’s ownership and funding structure.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again next week.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
