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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Kharge calls NDA ‘opportunist alliance thriving on corruption’ at rally
Puducherry (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the NDA "is an opportunist alliance that thrives on corruption and the looting of public assets".
Addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry, the Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had done nothing" for the union territory’s development.
He urged voters to back the INDIA bloc in the April 9 Assembly polls, calling it "an opportunity for the people to fight against divisive forces led by the BJP and RSS, which are destroying unity, harmony, and the progressive spirit of Puducherry."
Kharge also criticised the BJP for neglecting smaller states like Puducherry and made a strong case for granting it statehood, promising, "Congress will secure statehood—this is a guarantee we give to the people here".
He alleged that under the current AINRC-BJP coalition, Puducherry is "riddled with corruption and a 30 per cent commission system," with the NDA government exploiting the union territory, despite it being "one of the country’s most beautiful places".
He expressed concern over "misuse of funds and stalled development", alleging corruption had "seeped into every sector".
Kharge claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, "everything in practice is being handed to one person, Adani—from land to skies."
He added that the NDA was "exploiting land, temple lands, and public property."
The Congress leader also criticised the AINRC-BJP rule for granting permits for around 450 liquor shops and restaurants over the last five years, claiming, "Instead of providing clean water, the government has been giving liquor to the people."
Kharge compared the current situation with the previous Congress rule, highlighting development across sectors, particularly healthcare. "Hospitals were established here to take care of the health of the people," he said.
Among his promises, Kharge pledged "gold for mangala sutra" for women if Congress is elected, along with free education from primary school to research level.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises to Puducherry had not materialised and renewed his call for full statehood, citing the lack of powers as a "hindrance" to the elected government.
He recalled that during the previous Congress rule, then Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was also present, faced interference from then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.
Kharge said Congress has always stood with the people and would continue to improve their lives through developmental programmes, as it had during earlier administrations.
The meeting was presided over by Puducherry PCC president V Vaithilingam, and among the speakers was S P Sivakumar of the DMK.
