Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The defamation case brought against social commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra by Newslaundry's nine women journalists was heard by the Delhi High Court on Monday. While he did not attend the hearing, the court accused Mitra of "employing slurs and derogatory terminology” in social media interactions.
While issuing summons, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav of the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh And the Delhi High Court issued a summons for the, “Mr Mitra should understand where the laxman Rekha lies.” In simpler terms, ‘use of legal free speech has its limits.’ While cautioning Mitra did say that the court’s action is not a pry of gag order or shield him from further defamation action if he indulges in more defamatory action, it has not issued any formal order.
Miscalculated Retribution
The plaintiffs claim, through representatives Bani Dikshit and Farman Ali, that Mitra has previously uttered defamatory remarks on X (formerly Twitter) with no shred of truth backing it and that if he is not stopped will repeat it. Their demands include:
a permanent injunction against future defamatory remarks,
a public apology, and,
2 crore rupees compensation.
I Am Not A Defamer
Workshirt-clad followers have been treated to a spectacle courtesy the TikTok star. Am I embarrassed, the whole thing appeared nonsensical. Senior lawyer Percival Billimoria stated on behalf of the rest of Mitra's claims, after the court gave several reminders on already noted opinions, that there was no defaming statement, and, hence, there is no incriminating material. He suggested that the claim be shelved as he called for a more “insidious” probe and no more “insidious” media frighten and suggest them in those terms. The court however disagreed stating there’s nothing dubious about that comment.
Future Steps and Current Evaluation
Post deletion, Justice Kaurav stated that should other similar posts show up, then the plaintiffs are at liberty to file a suit again in the court. The court had earlier provided Mitra a five hour window on May 21 to erase the said posts claiming abuse ‘a person of such uncivilised behaviour should not be heard’ unless the content is removed.
