[Manu Bhaker Interview] “Nothing Defamatory, He Is Entitled To His Opinion”: Delhi HC Vacates Order Directing Abhishek Baxi to Remove Tweet on Rohan Dua

The Delhi High Court Today (Sept 10) vacated its order directing journalist Abhishek Baxi to take down his tweet criticising journalist Rohan Dua for his questions to Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker. The High Court said that Baxi’s tweet reflected his personal opinion and there was nothing defamatory in it.

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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court set aside its previous order that directed journalist Abhishek Baxi to remove his tweet criticizing fellow journalist Rohan Dua for the questions he posed to Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker during an interview.

Earlier, on September 2, the High Court had issued an order requiring multiple social media handles, including Baxi’s, to take down posts that were allegedly defamatory towards Dua. Baxi, however, contested this order by filing an application, arguing that his tweet was not defamatory in nature. Advocate Soutik Banerjee, representing Baxi, claimed that the Court had been misled into passing the initial order.

After reviewing the application, Justice Navin Chawla stated,

“There is nothing defamatory in this. This is his opinion which he is entitled to.”

As a result, the Court suspended the order in relation to Baxi’s tweet.

Dua’s lawyer, advocate Raghav Awasthi, agreed to remove Baxi as a party from the defamation suit. Meanwhile, the counsel representing X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that several other posts fell into a similar category.

The Bench examined these posts and noted that while people have the right to criticize Dua’s interview style, particularly his approach to Bhaker, comments such as calling him “creepy” or making personal attacks were deemed inappropriate.

Justice Chawla further added that those defendants affected by the Court’s injunction order could file appropriate applications to contest it.

The controversy centers around an interview conducted by Rohan Dua, who is the founder of the news platform The New Indian. In the interview, he questioned Indian shooter Manu Bhaker after her bronze medal wins at the Paris Olympics. A brief clip of this interview gained significant traction on social media, primarily due to a question Dua posed to Bhaker regarding her photos with fellow Olympian Neeraj Chopra.

Dua’s question was as follows:

“It may be a little trivial question and awkward to ask you but since, of course, the others have also asked so, I may ask you this question. Not that I mean to demean your medal or your efforts. But then, of course, the photos went viral with that of Neeraj. I don’t know if you see it as a compliment but, of course, you are one of the most attractive females, beautiful females, in India’s history of Olympics or this sport particularly. Are we right to assume that there was some sort of a chemistry or it was just that he [Neeraj Chopra] wanted to snub it as one off moment which someone clicked?”

Bhaker responded by stating that she has known Chopra for a long time and regards him as one of the country’s finest athletes. She also mentioned that her mother is very attached to other athletes and treats them like her own children.

Following the interview, the clip sparked widespread criticism on social media. Many users reposted the video, labeling the question as “sexist” and accusing Dua of being “unprofessional.”

In his defamation suit, Dua contended that these comments not only attacked his professional credibility but also falsely painted him as sexist and inappropriate.

The matter remains ongoing as more parties seek redress from the Court’s previous orders.

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