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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra to take down within five hours, the derogatory social media posts on women journalists of Newslaundry.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav came down heavily on Abhijit Iyer-Mitra over the choice of words in the controversial social media posts. Referring to the charge that he referred to Newslaundry women journalists as ‘prostitutes,’ Justice Kaurav ased Iyer-Mitra whether this kind of language could be used against women in a civilised society.
The High Court also took strong exception to Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, representing Iyer-Mitra, for defending the posts in question.
The matter reached such a point that Justice Kaurav warned registration of a criminal case against Iyer-Mitra.
The single-judge Bench passed the order on a defamation suit worth Rs two crore filed by Newslaundry Executive Editor Manisha Pande and eight other women journalists against Iyer-Mitra for referring to them as ‘prostitutes’.
Advocate Bani Dixit, representing the petitioners, said that the plaintiffs were journalists from all walks of life. These were defamatory articles outside the bounds of criticism. These are all working women, she added.
The High Court observed that a person who used such language should not be heard unless he took down the posts.
When Dehadrai said that the tweets in question were not attributable to any person, Justice Kaurav shot back,
“They are attributable to plaintiffs. If its not attributable to any person, what is the point of putting it out?”
Dehadrai then said,
“They are not a news organisation. I am a geopolitical expert. I have also put out tweets on their questionable sources of income.”
However, the Court replied,
“Whatever questionable income is, it is not under challenge. What we can look into is something that is under challenge. Going by any principle of law, such language in a public platform…Does he understand the definition of brothel? Can someone taking funds from questionable sources be called a brothel? You may have multiple questions, choice of words are impermissible.”
Dehadrai then claimed that allowing the plaintiffs to have a civil claim will amount to shutting his client down. At this point, the Court warned,
“In that case, we as a constitutional court will suo motu direct registration of a criminal FIR against defendant.”
When Dehadrai persisted, the Court said,
“Don’t try to be oversmart! You are trying to be oversmart with the Court! For each observation, the Court is about to make you interject repeatedly.”
Dehadrai then apologised to the Court, saying,
“I was trying to make an argument hypothetically. I am sorry, I apologise. I was only making an argument my lords.”
“If you want, I can show you the entire records, I tried to impress upon you that first you take down then I will hear you. Thereafter, you went on to say you are not being heard! I am accepting your submission that there is a criminal remedy available. Its an enlightening submission,” the Court then said.
Dehadrai ultimately agreed to take down the posts within five hours. The High Court has listed the matter for further hearing next week.
Referring to eight tweets posted by Iyer-Mitra on X between February to May 2025, the petitioners contended that he has clearly launched a series of scathing and belligerent attacks against the Plaintiffs. As such, the Defendant No. 1 could not be permitted to disseminate falsities, only with the oblique motive to gain cheap publicity and eyeballs, it added. The suit sought a written apology from Iyer-Mitra and Rs two crore as damages.
The journalists argued that they were young women media professionals. Iyer-Mitra’s post was not only an attack on their reputation and dignity, but caused them enormous mental trauma, harassment and embarrassment.
This article first appeared on India Legal
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