On Monday, the Delhi High Court issued notice on an interim application filed by journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and TV Today Network in their defamation suit against educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, and several other individuals accused of making defamatory remarks on social media. However, the Court declined to grant any immediate interim relief and chose to hear all parties before deciding whether the contested content should be removed.
The dispute stems from remarks allegedly made by Khan Sir and others following Kashyap’s coverage concerning “star teachers” and online educators. Kashyap and TV Today Network have sought the removal of various social media posts and comments that they claim are defamatory and damaging to their reputation. The plaintiffs argued that content posted by certain defendants was being widely circulated across platforms and contained abusive language that allegedly crossed the line from criticism to personal attacks.
On the other hand, counsel appearing for some defendants opposed the request, contending that the suit combined multiple independent posts and causes of action into a single proceeding. It was also argued that any challenge to online content must identify specific allegations against individual defendants rather than seek broad restrictions.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna observed that defamatory content, if established, cannot be permitted to remain online. The Court orally remarked, “It is settled law that if it is derogatory, it has to be (taken down).” At the same time, the Court emphasised the need to hear all sides before issuing any directions and declined to pass an immediate injunction. Noting that responses from the defendants were yet to be placed on record, the Court issued notice to the remaining parties and listed the matter for further consideration on June 17. The request for immediate removal of the disputed content was therefore not granted at this stage.
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