The Delhi High Court has issued summons to political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in a defamation suit filed by 9 women journalists from the digital media platform Newslaundry.
The journalists allege that Iyer-Mitra made derogatory and defamatory remarks about them on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Background of the Case
The plaintiffs, including Newslaundry’s Executive Editor Manisha Pande and eight other women journalists, filed the suit seeking ₹2 crore in damages. They claim that Iyer-Mitra referred to them using offensive terms such as “prostitutes” in a series of posts between February and May 2025.
On May 21, the High Court had directed Iyer-Mitra to remove the alleged defamatory posts within five hours, noting that such language is “not permissible in any civilised society.”
Court Proceedings
During the hearing on May 26, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav acknowledged that Iyer-Mitra had taken down the posts but emphasized that the plaintiffs wished to continue with the suit to seek compensation. The judge remarked, “We are not restraining you (Mitra), but where the ‘Laxman Rekha’ lies, you must understand.”
Senior Advocate Percival Billimoria, representing Iyer-Mitra, argued for the dismissal of the suit, stating that the content was not defamatory and had been removed in deference to the court’s observations. However, the court maintained that the matter at hand was limited to the social media posts and advised that any other grievances be addressed through appropriate channels.
Plaintiffs’ Stand
Advocate Bani Dikshit, representing the plaintiffs, contended that Iyer-Mitra showed “absolutely no remorse” despite deleting the posts. She stated that the defamatory remarks had caused “enormous mental trauma, harassment, and embarrassment” to the journalists.
The court has directed Iyer-Mitra to submit his written response to the allegations. The matter has been placed before the joint registrar for the completion of pleadings by both parties.
This case underscores the judiciary’s stance on maintaining decorum and respect in public discourse, especially on social media platforms.
