The Delhi High Court has instructed journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and India Today to remove a video from social media that depicted Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shazia Ilmi allegedly insulting the channel’s video journalist.
The verdict by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora comes in response to a defamation suit filed by Ilmi against Sardesai.
The court's order came after a hearing on Friday, during which it mandated that Sardesai and the channel submit the full, unedited version of the video. Upon reviewing the footage on Tuesday, the court noted that it had been recorded by the channel’s cameraperson after Ilmi exited a television debate on July 26.
The bench directed the removal of the video from social media pending further proceedings, following Sardesai’s request for an adjournment. The controversy began when Ilmi, participating in a debate on India Today, left the show prematurely, alleging that Sardesai had intentionally cut off her microphone to silence her.
She also claimed that the cameraperson continued to film her post-departure, exacerbating her physical and emotional distress.
In response, Sardesai posted the video on July 27, countering Ilmi's claims by showing her removing her microphone, expressing frustration with the cameraperson, and requesting that the video journalist leave her residence. Sardesai defended the cameraperson’s actions as professional and condemned Ilmi’s alleged “bad behavior.”