On 7th June, a single judge bench of the Delhi High Court consisting of Justice Rekha Palli, while passing an interim protection order in the case of TV Today Network Limited v. Tractor 2 Twitter & Ors, directed tractor2twitter to restrain from making any defamatory or derogatory posts/tweets or making any adverse remarks or uploading any content against ‘AajTak’ through any of its social media accounts or on any other social media platforms.
Facts of the case:
The present suit had been by the, ‘Aaj Tak’, which is one of the largest, Hindi news channel. The suit was filed against the defendants, tractor2twitter, which is an online community, on account of the persistent, malicious and defamatory campaign started by the defendants across its multiple social media platforms against the plaintiff, its news channel ‘Aaj Tak’ and its employees.
Contentions of the Plaintiff:
Mr. Baruah, learned counsel for the plaintiff submitted the following:
- On 30th May, around 6:29 AM, the defendant no.1 released, on its official Telegram channel, seven posters under the message ‘Graphics for 30th May’ that contained the ‘AajTak’ logo with a Prohibited sign interposed on it and calling the ‘AajTak’ news channel anti-farmer, venomous, toxic, communal.
- It was also stated that with these messages and posters, the defendants had maliciously been asking their followers to use a derogatory hashtags that maliciously uses the ‘AajTak’s’ name.
- It was contended that the allegations against the plaintiff, Aaj Tak and its employees contained in these defamatory tweets, messages and posts created at the instigation of the defendants are totally baseless and highly defamatory, thereby lowering the image of the plaintiff company.
- It was argued that Considering the damaging nature of the aforesaid tweets and posts the plaintiff has made out a prima facie case and has been able to show that the balance of convenience lies in its favour.
- The plaintiff, thus, pleaded that it and its employees would suffer irreparable injury to their reputation if no interim protection is granted to them immediately.
Observation and judgment of the court:
The Hon’ble bench of Delhi High Court made the following observation:
- Defendant was to restrain themselves from making any defamatory or derogatory posts/tweets or making any adverse remarks or uploading any content against the plaintiff or its employees.
- The court also directed the defendants to forthwith remove the defamatory tweets and posts. Failure to its compliance will get the defendant’s social media account to get blocked within 48 hours of receipt of such communication from the plaintiff.
- Further defendant nos.5 to 7 where directed to disclose their details within five days of the plaintiff serving this order upon them.
In the light of the above the court found it fit to grant an interim injunction in favour of the plaintiff and against the defendants.
Read Order @Latestlaws.com
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