Court orders FIR against Iyer-Mitra for derogatory posts about ‘Newslaundry’ women journalists

A Delhi court on Wednesday directed the registration of a first information report against right-wing commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra over social media posts in which he allegedly made sexually abusive remarks targeting women employees of Newslaundry.

Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh of the Saket Court stated that the remarks in the tweets could attract provisions under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita related to sexual harassment and insulting the modesty of a woman.

The magistrate also observed that a police investigation was necessary, noting that the alleged offence had taken place in cyberspace, Maktoob Media reported.

The court directed that the investigation should include verification of the social media account on platform X and efforts to trace the electronic device used to publish the posts.

The case was brought before the court by Newslaundry’s managing editor Manisha Pande and other women colleagues, who alleged that Iyer-Mitra had repeatedly used derogatory language and slurs against them online.

Earlier, the court had asked the Malviya Nagar Police Station to submit an action taken report on whether a complaint had been filed and what steps had been taken. After delays, the report was eventually submitted in February following a final opportunity granted by the court.

Subsequently, the journalists moved the court under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which allows a magistrate to order a police investigation in cognizable cases.

In addition, the journalists have filed a separate defamation suit before the Delhi High Court, seeking a public apology and damages amounting to ₹2 crore.