Latest news with #Dehadrai
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Not permissible in civilised society': Delhi HC directs Abhijit Iyer Mitra to take down posts against Newslaundry journalists in 5 hours
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to hear analyst and commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra in a defamation case filed by journalists till he takes down the posts in question within five hours, and remarked that the language he used 'are not permissible in any civilised society'. The suit against Mitra was filed by nine journalists of Newslaundry, as well as the organisation, seeking damages of Rs 2 crore. The plaintiffs accused Mitra of defaming them through a series of tweets, besides referring to women journalists as 'prostitutes' and their workplace as a 'brothel'. The journalists are also seeking an injunction. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, after perusing the alleged defamatory statements, inquired from Mitra's counsel, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, 'Can you defend these..?…This kind of language…whatever may be the background…but this kind of language against women, is it permissible in society?' Dehadrai answered in the negative, while adding that Newslaundry 'is not a news organisation as they claim' and alleged that they have questionable sources of funding. Justice Kaurav, however, remarked, 'Going by any stretch of imagination, such a language on a public platform… Does the defendant understand the definition of brothel? If someone takes funds from questionable sources, can it be called a brothel? The choice of words… We will hear you, but first you take (it) down.' The court also warned that it will pass a judicial order restraining Mitra and may also direct for suo motu registration of a First Information Report (FIR). 'This is not permissible in law. I'll direct for registration of FIR against your client (Mitra).' Following the court's warnings, Dehadrai informed the court that Mitra shall take down the tweets. The court directed that it must be removed in five hours. Minutes after the hearing concluded, Mitra took to X and posted, '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.' 'The Hon'ble court has not gotten into the defamation aspect yet, where I will expose these NL charlatans for what they are. It is curious of course that the lawyers for NL only focused on my poetic tweets & entirely avoided the tweets where I have repeatedly questioned NL's dubious funding and journalistic integrity,' he added. The court has posted the matter for May 26.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Given 5 Hours To Delete Defamatory Newslaundry Posts
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday warned political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra that it would order an FIR against him if he failed to take down allegedly defamatory posts targeting Newslaundry Executive Editor Manisha Pande and eight other women journalists. The court granted him five hours to comply. The posts, made on X (formerly Twitter) between February and May 2025, were described by the court as "not permissible in any civilised society". The court said it was inclined to pass an interim order but paused proceedings after Mr Iyer-Mitra's counsel assured that the tweets would be removed within the specified time. A single-judge bench made the observations during the hearing of a civil defamation suit filed by the journalists. The complainants have alleged that Mr Iyer-Mitra referred to them as "prostitutes" and described their workplace, Newslaundry, as a "brothel". The posts are at the centre of a legal action demanding a written apology and Rs 2 crore in damages. "These kind of languages, whatever may be background, can these kind of language against women be permissible in the society?" the court remarked during the proceedings. "We perhaps as a constitutional court, may direct suo motu registration of a criminal FIR against the defendant and take him into custody," the court warned, adding, "If this is the kind of language, then why are you not removing it?" The court expressed dissatisfaction that the offensive material had not been removed by the time of the hearing, despite earlier notices and the nature of the content. The submissions made in court on behalf of Mr Iyer-Mitra came from advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, who stated that his client had points to raise. At the same time, Mr Dehadrai conceded that "the choice of words could have been avoided". Mr Dehadrai told the court that the defendant would take down the offensive posts within five hours.
