Journalist Sudhir Chaudhary has told the Delhi High Court that he has voluntarily removed all his social-media posts misidentifying activist Vijay Sherawat as the person who allegedly raised slogans about ‘destroying’ Parliament during a protest, in a Rs 5 crore defamation suit filed by Sherawat against Chaudhary and DD News. Chaudhary’s counsel submitted that nothing survives in the matter, but the plaintiff said he wishes to continue. The Court, which also noted a court-fee shortfall, will hear the matter in January.
The Delhi High Court quashed the EOW FIR and ED’s ECIR against NewsClick and founder Prabir Purkayastha, holding that allegations concerning FDI and financial irregularities disclosed no cognisable offence. The Court termed the proceedings mala fide and an abuse of power targeting independent journalism.
The Delhi High Court held that an acquitted or discharged person’s right to dignity and reputation under Article 21 can override press freedom under Article 19(1)(a). The Court upheld de-indexing of arrest-related news articles, noting that continued online availability causes lasting reputational harm.