The Delhi High Court referred the defamation dispute between Anjana Om Kashyap and Khan Sir to mediation after the journalist and TV Today filed a Rs.2 crore suit over remarks calling her “bikau patrakar” and “chatukar.”
The Delhi High Court on Thursday referred the defamation dispute involving journalist Anjana Om Kashyap, TV Today Network Ltd., and educator Khan Sir to mediation.
The court observed that the parties appeared willing to explore an amicable settlement regarding allegedly defamatory remarks made during an online broadcast.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed that the matter be taken up for mediation at 4:00 PM today, with a senior mediator to be appointed.
The Court said,
“After having probed a little, it appears that the parties may be able to resolve the disputes amicably. The parties are willing to explore the terms of settlement in case a senior mediator is appointed. They are also willing to commence the mediation efforts today itself at 4:30 PM,”
The case was then listed for July 9 so the court could consider the outcome of the mediation proceedings.
The suit was filed by Kashyap and TV Today Network seeking an injunction against Khan Sir and others over statements allegedly portraying the journalist and the news channel using expressions such as “bikau patrakar”, “dalali”, and “fake news ki dukaan” in connection with coverage relating to “star teachers.”
At the beginning of the hearing, advocate Hrishikesh Baruah, appearing for the plaintiffs, urged the court to grant an injunction, arguing that the statements were completely defamatory.
However, the court encouraged the parties to resolve the matter rather than engage in a prolonged legal battle.
Justice Gedela asked,
“Why are you not settling it?”
When Baruah stated that settlement was not possible, the court noted that while criticism of public figures is allowed, it must be made within the limits of civility.
The court further remarked that even if the remarks were allegedly made in response to the plaintiffs’ reporting, the language used appeared inappropriate. It suggested that the objectionable portions could be removed.
Baruah also told the court that one of the defendants had disclosed the name of the school attended by Kashyap’s children, following which, he claimed, the journalist’s family faced life threats. He argued that sharing such personal details went beyond acceptable limits.
The court expressed concern about the disclosure of information connected to Kashyap’s children, orally observing that such details should not have been brought into the controversy.
Advocate Murari Tiwari, appearing for Khan Sir, assured the court that the disclosure relating to the children would be removed. At the same time, he requested that the plaintiffs also refrain from escalating the dispute.
Justice Gedela observed that given their backgrounds as academicians and media professionals, the parties should not allow their exchange to become part of public discourse. The court advised the defendants to take down the portions revealing the children’s details and asked both sides to ensure that objectionable words were removed.
The court then instructed counsel for both parties to sit together and identify the specific expressions each side found objectionable, with a view to narrowing the dispute.
During the hearing, the court also issued notice on an application seeking rejection of the plaint. When a defendant suggested appointment of a mediator, the court recorded that the parties were open to exploring a settlement through mediation.
The court observed,
“It appears that parties can and may resolve disputes amicably. The parties are willing to explore terms of settlement in case a senior mediator is appointed,”
And accordingly referred the matter to mediation the same day. The High Court directed that any available senior mediator be appointed.
The matter will now be taken up on July 9, 2026 to consider the result of the mediation proceedings.
Earlier, on June 17, the court had declined to grant any interim relief at that stage to Kashyap and TV Today Network in their Rs. 2 crore defamation suit against Khan Sir popularly known by that name and several other teachers and social media users.
Justice Madhu Jain did not pass any interim order on the plaintiffs’ application seeking an injunction, noting that defendants 1, 7, 10, and 11 had not yet filed replies and granted time to place their responses on record.
The suit has been filed by Kashyap and TV Today Network against Khan Sir and other defendants including educators Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi, Arvind Bhadauriya, and Manish Yadav, as well as X users SamKhasa and Abhimanyu1305.
The plaintiffs have sought removal of allegedly defamatory content and damages of Rs. 2 crore.
The dispute traces back to a live debate concerning the NEET examination system, during which Kashyap allegedly criticised online teachers, calling them frauds and people chasing views. According to the plaintiffs, Khan Sir later made remarks targeting the journalist and the channel, leading to the present proceedings.
The plaintiffs have sought removal of the allegedly defamatory content from online and social media platforms and have also sought damages of Rs. 2 crore.
Case Title: Anjana Om Kashyap and Another vs Faisal Khan and Others