The Delhi High Court dismissed a contempt plea against Himal Southasian for not removing a report on Anant Ambani’s Vantara park. The Court determined no legal order was violated, stating that criticism of the article did not imply a directive for deletion. The case underscores the necessity of clear legal directives for contempt cases.
Nine women journalists from Newslaundry have filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in the Delhi High Court, alleging he called them “prostitutes” and labeled their workplace a “brothel” in offensive social media posts. They seek an apology, compensation, and accountability for online abuse, emphasizing the impact on their dignity and mental health.
Today, On 17th March, The Supreme Court emphasized the need for judicial tolerance while reviewing the Delhi High Court’s takedown order against Wikipedia in the ANI case. It stated that courts must balance the right to free expression with concerns over misinformation. The bench highlighted that blanket takedown orders could set a problematic precedent.
Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s plea against an FIR related to his tweet about Yati Narsinghanand was mistakenly heard by a recused judge. His legal team highlighted the error, prompting reassignment to a new bench. The case raises important questions regarding judicial procedures and media freedom in India amid tensions over communal remarks.
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has expressed concerns to Union Home Minister Amit Shah about potential misuse of new criminal laws against journalists. They emphasize the need for additional safeguards and proposed a review of the laws to prevent frivolous prosecution. The Guild seeks protection of media freedom under the Indian Constitution and requests a meeting with Shah to address these issues.
On Wednesday(26th June),During a hearing at the Allahabad High Court challenging Rahul Gandhi’s election as an MP from Raebareli, a judge, Justice Manish Mathur, asked a reporter from a legal news website to leave the courtroom, sparking significant criticism on social media.
Former Supreme Court Judge Madan Lokur emphasized the constitutional right to silence for arrested individuals during a discussion on freedom of expression. He highlighted the interconnectedness of fundamental rights and warned about suppressing freedom of speech. Parallelly, Prabir Purkayastha reflected on his experiences and emphasized democratic resilience and support for those imprisoned.
Today (27th May): The Delhi High Court has dropped a Rs 1 lakh fine imposed on a lawyer who filed a PIL aimed at restraining media channels from airing sensational headlines regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation. The court directed the lawyer to perform community service and attach the court’s order to any future petition. The PIL sought to restrict media coverage and was considered beyond the court’s purview.
