Delhi High Court orders Abhijit Iyer Mitra to remove defamatory posts against Newslaundry within 5 hours

The Delhi High Court has directed political commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra and social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to delete several defamatory posts targeting independent news platform Newslaundry and nine of its women journalists.

The order was issued on Wednesday, May 21, by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who criticised the language used in the posts and said the court would proceed with the case only after the removal of the content.

“These kinds of languages, whatever may be the background, can these against women be permissible in the society?” asked the judge. He further warned of legal consequences if the posts were not removed: “I am passing a judicial order, I am restraining you, this is not permissible under law, and then I'll order an FIR against you.”

The court's intervention follows a civil defamation suit filed on May 14 by Newslaundry and nine of its women journalists, including Managing Editor Manisha Pande and Executive Editor Jayashree Arunachalam. The suit accuses Iyer Mitra of making “defamatory, false, malicious, and unsubstantiated allegations” on the platform X. The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding ₹2 crore and a permanent injunction to prevent further defamatory remarks.

The legal action also names X Corp as a respondent, pointing out that the platform was used to disseminate the offensive content. Among the accusations, the plaintiffs highlighted that Iyer Mitra used terms like “prostitute” to describe the journalists and called Newslaundry a “brothel” in a series of derogatory posts and poems. These remarks, they argue, were intended to demean the journalists and damage the reputation of the media outlet.

Iyer Mitra’s legal representative, Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, defended the posts, arguing they were not directed at individuals but were a commentary on the organisation’s alleged funding sources. “It’s in the context of an organisation referred to as a brothel. Because they take this finding from questionable sources,” he said, claiming the remarks were “fair comment.”

The judge, however, pushed back, asking, “Does he understand the definition of brothel? Someone who takes financial assistance from questionable sources, can it be called a brothel?”

The plaintiffs also told the court that the defamatory posts targeted Newslaundry subscribers, calling them the “biggest prostitutes,” which they described as an attempt to discredit the platform and discourage support. They argued that these “libelous, unfounded, and misconceived” statements were made “knowingly and deliberately, calculated to harm the dignity and reputation of the plaintiffs.”

The suit claims that the posts have remained accessible on the platform, causing “great reputational harm” and “enormous mental trauma, harassment and embarrassment” to those involved. The plaintiffs expressed concern over the potential negative impact on Newslaundry’s business operations, readership, and ability to attract journalists.

In addition to the removal of the posts, the plaintiffs have demanded a formal written apology from Iyer Mitra to be published on his social media platforms, along with ₹2 crore in damages and 18% annual interest.

The matter will be further heard after the court’s directive is complied with.