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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, on Monday, issued an order mandating numerous social media users to retract their critical posts targeting the founder of The New Indian journalist Rohan Dua, accusing him of asking sexist questions in his interview with Olympian Manu Bhaker.

The bench of Justice Navin Chawla issued this directive following an affidavit submitted by Advocate Raghav Awasthi, representing Dua, which indicated that Bhaker had endorsed Dua’s post of the interview by liking it, thereby demonstrating her lack of offense toward the questions asked. 

Dua had posed a question regarding whether Bhaker’s association with Chopra was merely coincidental or had some underlying significance, noting her attractiveness in the context of the photos that had gone viral. 

Bhaker responded by noting her long-standing acquaintance with Chopra and her appreciation for his athleticism. She further mentioned her mother’s close relationship with other athletes, whom she considers like her own children.

Following the interview, a Twitter user named Roshan Rai shared the video and criticized Dua’s question as inappropriate. Rai commented on the perceived focus on Bhaker’s appearance rather than her achievements. Other social media users also condemned the question as "sexist" and labeled the interviewer as "unprofessional."

In his defamation lawsuit, Dua contended that these claims not only undermined his professional reputation but also propagated a misleading narrative of sexism, overshadowing Bhaker’s accomplishments. 

Dua also provided evidence showing that Bhaker had no objections to the interview and also revealed that Bhaker’s team had given prior approval for the interview.  Dua emphasized the necessity of restraining the involved social media accounts from further dissemination of defamatory material, arguing that such false assertions had unjustly harmed Dua’s reputation.

Case Title: Rajatarangini India Media Private Limited & Anr. v Roshan Rai & Ors.