Anjana Om Kashyap vs Khan Sir: Delhi High Court Refers Defamation Dispute To Mediation

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the matter to mediation at 4 PM today, with a senior mediator to be appointed, and listed the case for July 9 to await the outcome of the mediation proceedings.

At the outset, Advocate Hrishikesh Baruah, appearing for Kashyap and TV Today, urged the Court to grant an injunction, submitting that the statements were "completely defamatory."

The Court, however, encouraged the parties to resolve the dispute instead of pursuing prolonged litigation. "Why are you not settling it?" Justice Gedela asked.

When Baruah responded that settlement was not possible, the Court observed that while criticism of public figures is permissible, it must remain within the bounds of civility.

The Court remarked that although the impugned statements may have been a reaction to the plaintiffs' reporting, the language used appeared inappropriate and suggested that the objectionable portions could simply be removed.

Baruah further submitted that one of the defendants had disclosed the name of the school attended by Kashyap's children, resulting in alleged life threats to the family. He argued that the disclosure of personal details crossed all permissible limits.

The Court expressed concern over the disclosure of information relating to the journalist's children and orally observed that such details should never have been dragged into the controversy.

Responding on behalf of Khan Sir, Advocate Murari Tiwari assured the Court that the disclosure relating to the children would be removed. At the same time, he submitted that the plaintiffs should also refrain from escalating the dispute.

The Court observed that as academicians and media professionals, the parties should avoid allowing such exchanges to become part of public discourse. It advised the defendants to take down the portions revealing the children's details and encouraged both sides to ensure that objectionable words were deleted.

Subsequently, Justice Gedela directed the counsels representing both sides to sit together and identify the specific expressions that each party found objectionable in an effort to narrow the dispute.

During the hearing, the Court also issued notice on an application seeking rejection of the plaint.

When one of the defendants suggested appointment of a mediator, the Court recorded that the parties were willing to explore settlement through mediation. "It appears that parties can and may resolve disputes amicably. The parties are willing to explore terms of settlement in case a senior mediator is appointed," the Court observed.

Accordingly, the matter was referred to mediation the same day, with the High Court directing that any available senior mediator be appointed. The case will now be taken up on July 9, 2026, to consider the outcome of the mediation proceedings.