Saurav Das files plea in Delhi HC against Hindutva portals for posting his address

New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das has filed a civil suit in the Delhi High Court against several Hindutva digital media platforms, social media intermediaries and right-wing political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, alleging that the publication and circulation of his residential address violated his right to privacy.

Represented by advocate Samyak Gangwal, Das has sought damages and an injunction to prevent the further publication or sharing of his address and other private information. He has also asked for the removal of personal details that are already available online, Maktoob Media reported.

The suit names YouTube channels The Pamphlet and The Jaipur Dialogues, among others. Das has alleged that Iyer-Mitra drew attention to his residence and interfered with his peaceful possession of the property.

Das said his work as a journalist and his political activities had previously made him the target of violent threats and hostility. He argued that the repeated disclosure and amplification of his exact residential address created a genuine and foreseeable risk of violence at or near his home.

Earlier this month, Das had approached the Delhi Police against certain social media accounts, alleging that some individuals entered and filmed his residence in Greater Kailash while he was away. He also claimed that they spoke with the caretaker, security personnel and neighbours in an attempt to gather information about him.

He subsequently sought the registration of an FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with criminal trespass and house-trespass, criminal intimidation and defamation.

Last week, the presence of Puducherry police personnel at Das’s family home had also led to allegations of political intimidation. The police, however, maintained that the visit was part of a routine security exercise conducted ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.