[Shazia Ilmi’s Defamation Suit] Delhi HC Directs Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai To Take Down Video From Social Media

Read Time: 03 minutes

Synopsis

The controversy arose last month after Shazia Ilmi participated in a debate on India Today concerning the Agniveer scheme. During the debate, she abruptly exited, claiming that her microphone had been deliberately turned off to silence her. 

The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, directed the journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and the India Today network to remove a video from social media wherein BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was allegedly "abusing" an India Today video journalist. 

The bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora held “In the interregnum, in view of the request for adjournment made by the counsel, D1 (Sardesai) is directed to take down the video uploaded on his social media post until the disposal of this application [interim relief application]”. 

Per orders of the previous hearing, Sardesai and India Today submitted the full, unedited video as evidence. The court after reviewing it, concluded that it had been recorded by an India Today cameraperson after Ilmi had exited the show.

The court further expressed that, as the video was recorded after Ilmi’s departure, the events depicted pertained to a private matter between Ilmi and the camera person. Additionally, the court emphasized the need to hear the submissions from Sardesai, India Today, and the cameraperson regarding the privacy issues involved.

Background 

Ilmi voiced her dissatisfaction on X, addressing Sardesai and India Today, while defending her dignity. She criticized the video journalist, labeling him a ‘pervert’ for continuing to record her despite her apparent physical and emotional discomfort after the debate had ended.

In response, Sardesai tweeted that Ilmi's actions—removing the video journalist and allegedly abusing him—were inappropriate, arguing that the journalist was merely performing his professional duties.

Case Title: Shazia Ilmi v Rajdeep Sardesai & Ors