Delhi Court Orders FIR Against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Over ‘Sexually Coloured’ Tweets Targeting Manisha Pande

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bhanu Pratap Singh at the Saket Courts passed the order while allowing an application filed under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), seeking directions for registration of an FIR.

The court observed that the content of the tweets prima facie disclosed the commission of cognizable offences under Sections 75(3) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relate to sexually coloured remarks and outraging the modesty of a woman.

“On perusal of the material placed on record, this Court is of the view that the content posted by the accused qualifies as sexually coloured remarks and appears intended to insult the modesty of the complainant. Therefore, on perusal of the application and the material placed on record by the complainant, this Court is of the view that the content of the tweets posted by the accused on “X” platform discloses commission of cognizable offences under section 75(3) and 79 of BNS,” the court noted, adding that Pande had been specifically named in at least one of the tweets.

The complaint, filed by Pande on behalf of herself and five other journalists, alleged that Iyer-Mitra had repeatedly used derogatory and sexually abusive language against women employees of Newslaundry through a series of posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Screenshots of the posts were placed on record, including statements referring to the journalists in highly offensive terms.

Emphasising the need for a thorough probe, the court held that police investigation was necessary given that the alleged offences were committed in cyberspace. It directed the Station House Officer of Malviya Nagar Police Station to register an FIR and conduct an investigation to identify the user account responsible for the posts and to trace the electronic devices used to publish them.

The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the Action Taken Report (ATR) earlier filed by the police, noting that key tweets forming the basis of the complaint had not been considered.

“Police investigation is necessary to verify the user account from which the tweets were published and to recover the computer source or electronic device used,” the court said, while directing compliance by May 4, 2026.

Parallel to the criminal proceedings, the dispute has also spilled into civil litigation.

The journalists have approached the Delhi High Court seeking damages of ₹2 crore, a public apology, and a permanent injunction against Iyer-Mitra, alleging a sustained campaign of defamation and harassment. In May 2025, the High Court had recorded Iyer-Mitra’s undertaking to delete certain posts, though the defamation suit remains pending.