Latest news with #AbhijitIyerMitra
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC summons defendant in Newslaundry defamation case
New Delhi The Delhi high court on Monday issued a summons to Delhi-based defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra in a defamation suit filed by nine women employees of digital news platform Newslaundry for his allegedly sexually abusive social media posts. The suit stems from a series of tweets posted by Mitra from February to April in which he allegedly made derogatory posts about the digital platform's women employees, their workplace and subscribers. A bench of justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav passed the direction after the women employees, including company managing editor Manisha Pande, submitted that Mitra has not shown remorse even after taking down his tweets. They have even sought damages against Mitra. The women employees, represented by advocate Bani Dixit, also urged the court to permanently restrain Mitra from posting against them. Senior advocate Percival Billimoria, appearing for Mitra, urged the court to dismiss the suit since the cause no longer survived after he had taken down the allegedly defamatory content. On May 21, Mitra gave an undertaking to court to take down the posts within five hours, after the judge slammed him for his language. The court said that the 'choice of words' was 'impermissible in civilized society'. The senior counsel further argued that the posts were not defamatory. The bench said, 'You have to stick to the point. Today we can't look at your written statement. Today it's between the plaintiff and the court. Since the defamatory material has been taken down, what remains is the compensation. We'll issue summons.' The order said, 'The aforesaid aspects (regarding Mitra's defence) will be looked into at the time of submissions. The interim order, which the court has passed, will continue.' While fixing September 10 as the next date of hearing, the court also granted the women employees the liberty to file an application, in case Mitra posted further allegedly defamatory content. 'In the meantime any further defamatory statement or content is published by defendant no 1, the plaintiffs will be at liberty to file appropriate application,' the court said. In the suit, seeking ₹2 crore in damages and an unconditional apology, the women employees alleged that Mitra falsely and maliciously labelled them using derogatory terms and slurs, posted obscene poems undermining their dignity and also launched a scathing attack against the platform's subscribers. 'Even a bare perusal for the allegations and insinuations, which have been tabulated in the plaint in detail, leave not an iota of doubt that these are capable of causing inordinate corrosion of the reputation and goodwill of the plaintiffs that has been arduously built over a period of years. Furthermore, the libelous and unsubstantiated allegations by the defendant No.1 (Mitra) will not only directly and adversely affect the reputation of the plaintiffs amongst their friends, family and peers, but has caused enormous mental trauma, harassment and embarrassment,' they said in the suit. The suit went on to add that terms used by Mitra were not only an insult and attack on women journalists, but reinforced deeply regressive and violent attitudes toward sex workers, who face systemic marginalisation and stigma. 'No woman/ person deserves to be dehumanised. No profession deserves to be weaponized as an insult. These remarks strip women—whether journalists or sex workers—of agency, identity, and respect,' they said in the suit. Seeking takedown of the tweets, the suit states that the publications do not fall within the purview of 'free speech' 'journalistic criticism' 'satire' or fair comments and were rather a sexist slur aimed at humiliating the women professionals of Newslaundry.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Defamation suit by women journos: Delhi HC asks Abhijit Iyer Mitra to not cross 'laxman rekha'; issues summons
The Delhi High Court issued summons to commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra on Monday on a lawsuit by nine women journalists alleging defamation and asked him to be mindful of 'laxman rekha' while exercising his right to speech. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav asked Mitra to give his written submissions in the case filed by journalists from media house Newslaundry and also sought the stand of social media platform X. The plaintiffs alleged that Mitra used "derogatory terms and slurs" while making "defamatory, false, malicious and unsubstantiated allegations" on X. Justice Kaurav noted that while the entire alleged defamatory content had been deleted by Mitra following certain remarks by the court last week, the plaintiffs sought further directions to restrain him. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:-:- Loaded : 0% 0:00:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - -:-:- 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo "Having considered the nature of the submissions by the plaintiff, the court deems it appropriate to direct issuance of summons to the defendants," the court said. "We are not restraining you (Mitra) (but) where laxman rekha lies, you must understand. So long as you continue to use your right to speech... when it becomes defamatory, the plaintiff will be at liberty to come back to court," the judge stated. Live Events Advocates Bani Dikshit and Farman Ali, representing the plaintiffs, asserted that Mitra has shown "no remorse" for his posts. Mitra's senior counsel Percival Billimoria said the content was not defamatory and was taken down in deference to the court's observations and the lawsuit should be dismissed. The court's order on removal has been complied with, he said. He also urged the court to order an investigation against the "most insidious" media platform. The court, however, said, "If you want investigation against the channel, the remedy lies elsewhere". The court said its earlier order on removal of the content was without prejudice to the rights of the parties but would continue to remain in force and asked the plaintiff to "come back" if similar objectionable content was posted in future. In the lawsuit, the women journalists have sought an injunction, a written apology and Rs 2 crore in damages from Mitra. They claimed that Mitra launched a series of scathing and belligerent attacks against them in his posts. On May 21, the court rapped Mitra for his allegedly abusive remarks and asked him to remove the posts within five hours. The court had orally stated that a person who dared to use such "uncivilised language" in their posts should not be heard unless it was taken down. The matter would be heard next in September.
News18
21-05-2025
- News18
'Remove Posts In 5 Hours': Delhi HC Slams Abhijit Iyer For Offensive Language Against 9 Women Journalists
Agency: Last Updated: Delhi HC rapped commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra for his alleged defamatory and abusive social media posts against nine women journalists of media house Newslaundry. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rapped commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra for his alleged defamatory and abusive social media posts against nine women journalists of media house Newslaundry and asked him to remove the posts within five hours. "Such language and words are not permissible in a civilised society. First, you remove the posts, then we will hear you," Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav told Mitra's counsel, who sought to defend the posts. The court was hearing a plea by nine women journalists, who work with Newslaundry and sought an injunction and damages of Rs 2 crore from Mitra for his "defamatory, false, malicious and unsubstantiated allegations" published on X. He had also used "derogatory terms and slurs" against the women journalists as well as their organisation, it said. Mitra's counsel said the words used in the posts were not correct and agreed to take down the posts. The court posted the matter on May 26.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Remove posts in 5 hours: Delhi HC raps Abhijit Iyer Mitra for offensive language against women scribes
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rapped commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra for his alleged defamatory and abusive social media posts against nine women journalists of media house Newslaundry and asked him to remove the posts within five hours. "Such a language and words are not permissible in a civilised society. First you remove the posts then we will hear you," Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav told Mitra's counsel who sought to defend the posts. The court was hearing a plea by nine women journalists, who work with Newslaundry and sought an injunction and damages of Rs 2 crore from Mitra for his "defamatory, false, malicious and unsubstantiated allegations" published on X. He had also used "derogatory terms and slurs" against the women journalists as well as their organisation, it said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mountain Gear for Extreme Conditions Trek Kit India Learn More Undo Mitra's counsel said the words used in the posts were not correct and agreed to take down the posts. The court posted the matter on May 26.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Abhijit Iyer agrees to remove tweets on Newslaundry after Delhi high court rap
New Delhi: Delhi-based defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra on Wednesday undertook before the Delhi high court to take down allegedly sexually abusive social media posts against digital news platform Newslaundry and its employees within five hours, after the court slammed him for his language saying that the 'choice of words' are 'impermissible in (a) civilized society.' 'What you want? This kind of language! Whatever maybe the background... you may justify the background... but can this kind of language (be used) against women in (a) civilised society? Please immediately take it down,' said justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav while hearing a petition filed by nine women employees of Newslaundry against Mitra over his allegedly sexually abusive social media posts. As Iyer's lawyer conceded the choice of words could have been avoided, the court said, 'We will not hear you unless you take down these. The choice of words is impermissible in (a) civilised society and (a) person who chooses this kind of language should not be heard unless he takes down. You take down today, then we'll hear you. We may direct for registration of FIR suo moto, if eventually you fail to satisfy us….' Mitra's lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai undertook to remove the posts. The suit stemmed from a series of tweets posted by Mitra from February to April. In the suit, seeking ₹2 crore as damages and an unconditional apology, the women employees including the platform's managing editor Manisha Pande alleged that Mitra through a series of posts falsely and maliciously labelled them using derogatory terms and slurs, posted obscene poems undermining their dignity and also launched a scathing attack against the platform's subscribers. 'Even a bare perusal for the allegations and insinuations, which have been tabulated in the plaint in detail, leave not an iota of doubt that these are capable of causing inordinate corrosion of the reputation and goodwill of the Plaintiffs that has been arduously built over a period of years. Furthermore, the libelous and unsubstantiated allegations by the Defendant No.1 will not only directly and adversely affect the reputation of the Plaintiffs amongst their friends, family and peers, but has caused enormous mental trauma, harassment and embarrassment,' the suit argued by advocate Bani Dikshit and Uddhav Khanna stated. During the hearing, Mitra's lawyer submitted that the posts were not attributable to the woman journalists and he on earlier occasions had also put out tweets questioning their source of income. 'Not for a moment can I condone or defend the choice of language, but this is half the story. They (Newslaundry) are not a news organisation as they claim to be a holy news organisation. I'm a geo-political expert and I have put out tweets about the source of income. The remark made please have that for a moment. It's in the context of organisation referred to as a brothel. Because they take this finding from questionable sources,' Dehadrai said. However, justice Kaurav said, 'If you want that finding, then let me say, these are directly attributable to the plaintiff. Does he (Mitra) understand the definition of brothel… can some who take income from questionable sources can it be called a brothel? You may have multiple grievances but choice of words is impermissible in a civilised society.' He further submitted that the journalists, besides filing a suit, 'hypothetically', also had the right to initiate criminal proceedings in case they found the tweets abusive. However, the court at this juncture warned of issuing directions for registration of FIR saying, 'In that case, we as a constitutional court will suo moto direct registration of criminal FIR against the defendant. Don't try to be over smart. You are trying to be over smart with the court. For each observation, the court is about to make you interject repeatedly. We may direct for registration of FIR, suo moto if eventually you fail to satisfy us.' Ultimately, Mitra undertook to take down the tweets within five hours. Justice Kaurav said, 'Mr Jai contends that without prejudice to the rights and contention, the defendant would remove the tweet within 5 hours. The aforesaid statement is taken on record, and the aforesaid arrangement is made and the same is without prejudice to his rights and contention. Let the matter be taken during the course of next week.' The matter will now be heard on May 26. The suit went on to add that use of the term prostitute was not only an insult and an attack on the woman journalists but also reinforced deeply regressive and violent attitudes toward sex workers, who face systemic marginalisation and stigma. 'No woman/ person deserves to be dehumanised. No profession deserves to be weaponized as an insult. These remarks strip women—whether journalists or sex workers—of agency, identity, and respect,' it added. Seeking takedown of the tweets, the suit states that the publications do not fall within the purview of 'free speech' 'journalistic criticism' 'satire' or fair comments and were rather sexist slur aimed at humiliating the women professionals of Newslaundry. 'They directly attack their dignity and right to work without fear or sexual harassment, apart from an attack on the Plaintiff No. 10 organisation (Newslaundry),' it added.
