Anjana Om Kashyap, TV Today file ₹2 crore defamation suit against Khan Sir
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Journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and TV Today Network have filed a ₹2 crore defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against educator Faisal Khan, several other educators, social media accounts, and 4PM News Network.
The suit, scheduled to be heard on June 8 by a vacation bench of the Delhi High Court, seeks the removal of defamatory content, a restraint on further publication of such material and damages of ₹2 crore.
Besides Khan Sir, the suit names educators Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi, and Arvind Bhadauriya, along with several X accounts and 4PM News Network.
According to the plaintiffs, the dispute began after Kashyap hosted a debate on Aaj Tak on May 29, during which she commented on the growing influence of online "star teachers" and the commercialisation of education. The suit argues that her remarks constituted fair journalistic commentary on a matter of public interest.
The plaintiffs allege that between May 30 and June 4, the defendants conducted a coordinated campaign against Kashyap and the media network through videos, social media posts, and broadcasts. The suit claims that Kashyap and Aaj Tak were referred to using terms such as "bikau patrakar", "chatukar", "dalli" and accused of running a "fake news ki dukaan".
The suit further alleges that Khan Sir disclosed information related to the school attended by Kashyap's child. According to the plaintiffs, the disclosure exposed the family to unwanted attention, harassment, and security concerns.
"The Plaintiff's child has been exposed to unwanted attention and security concerns solely because of the Defendants' reckless conduct," the suit states.
The case has been filed through advocates Hrishikesh Baruah, Utkarsh Dwivedi, and Pragya Agarwal.
Reacting to the lawsuit, Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that defamation cases are increasingly being used to silence criticism. Journalist Nikhil Wagle also criticised the move, while lawyer Ashish Gehlot described the case as a potential SLAPP suit, arguing that such litigation is often used to secure quick takedown orders and gain a legal advantage.
The allegations made in the suit have not yet been adjudicated by the court. Khan Sir and the other defendants had not publicly responded through court filings at the time the matter was listed for hearing.