Delhi HC Seeks Reply From Abhijit Iyer Mitra On Fresh Plea By Newslaundry Journalists Alleging Defamatory Tweets
The Delhi High Court on Monday, August 18, 2025, sought a response from Abhijit Iyer-Mitra on a fresh petition filed by Newslaundry’s Manisha Pande and other women journalists, seeking the takedown of a series of allegedly defamatory tweets recently posted by him.
A bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav heard the matter today and granted Mitra six days’ time to respond. The matter is now listed for further hearing on August 28.
Earlier, a defamation suit was filed by the Managing Editor of Newslaundry, Manisha Pande, seeking relief against the defamatory post and content published by Abhijit Iyer Mitra.
While hearing the defamation suit filed by Newslaundry Managing Editor Manisha Pande against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, the court remarked that the kind of language used by him was not acceptable in a civilized society under any circumstances.
The court perused the material on record and took note of the language used in the impugned post. Justice Kaurav observed that such language could not be justified under any circumstances, stating, ‘You should have immediately taken down this kind of language. The choice of words was unacceptable in a civilised society. Unless he took down this language, he would not be heard.’ He directed that the content in question be taken down immediately. The court emphasised that unless Abhijit removed the defamatory remarks, it would not entertain his counsel's arguments.
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, appearing for Abhijit, argued that the remarks were not directed at the individual women plaintiffs but were criticisms of the organisation. He further claimed that Newslaundry was not a “holy” organisation as it portrayed itself to be, referring to an old interview that allegedly involved a sensitive case concerning a minor. Nonetheless, the court maintained that regardless of the defendant's views on the organization, the language used in public discourse must remain within the bounds of decency.
At a subsequent hearing on May 26, the senior counsel appearing for Mitra prayed the court to investigate the Newslaundry News Channel, claiming that it reports false news or rumours. He alleged that the channel made insinuations and cast aspersions on public figures, including a rumour regarding relations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni.
Although Mitra informed the court that the order had been complied with and the posts taken down, Advocate Bani Dixit, appearing for the plaintiffs, pointed out that one post was still accessible. The court then directed Mitra to re-examine all posts, while noting that he had already undertaken not to publish defamatory content.”
The court acknowledged that Mitra had given an undertaking not to post defamatory content. It was observed that the defendant had posted content, realised his fault, and gave an undertaking to remove the posts.
The bench stated, "We are not restraining you from posting anything. Here in this case, you crossed a Lakshman Rekha. So long as your posts are within the right to speech, it is okay. When it becomes defamatory, then it becomes problematic". The bench reiterated that while the right to free speech is protected under the constitution but it does not extend to defamatory statements.
After hearing both sides, the court granted liberty to the plaintiffs to initiate appropriate legal proceedings in the future if any new defamatory content was published by Mitra.
Case Title: Manisha Pande v Abhijit Iyer Mitra
Hearing Date: 18 August 2025
Bench: Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav