The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (June 17) refused to grant interim relief for now in Journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and TV Today Network's suit against allegedly defamatory remarks by exam coaching teacher Faisal Khan–also known popularly as Khan sir, as well as other educators.

The court did not pass any interim order today on plaintiffs' plea for interim injunction and listed the matter next month.

Justice Madhu Jain noted that defendants 1,7,10,11 are yet to file reply and granted them time to file their response to the application seeking interim relief. The court has listed the matter on July 2.

The interim relief application has been filed in Kashyap's defamation suit against Khan sir and other defendants namely Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi, Arvind Bhadauriya, Manish Yadav and X account users SamKhasa and Abhimanyu1305.

The suit has been filed over Khan Sir's allegedly defamatory remarks against the journalist in reference to her coverage on "star teachers".

During the hearing today the counsel appearing for defendants 4-6 said that there is no urgency and that the matter be listed before roster bench on reopening of the high court in July. He further said that the suit is not maintainable and that there are different cause of actions qua different defendants.

Meanwhile Counsel appearing for Kashyap and TV Today referred to interim injunction application and submitted that there was urgency.

"Please see the language (in the impugned content)," he said referred to the impugned content. Meanwhile the court was informed that certain defendants had not filed their response.

However counsel for defendants 4-6 said, "She (Kashyap) made false statement against the educational institution and teachers. They in reply said something. They are not entitled to… let the replies come on record and then ladyships can hear".

However Kashyap's counsel said that the defendants used unparliamentary language against her and her child. At this stage counsel for defendant 8, Advocate Talha Abdul Rahman said that the plaintiffs have to file different suits for different people and different items of speech.

Meanwhile counsel for defendants 4-6 said, "First she puts fire and then she cannot say that smoke should not hurt me".

Advocate Gauhar Mirza for defendants 2 and 3 said that were other available avenues that the plaintiffs could use. "They can go for criminal complaint. They are making general allegations against all defendants. Very smartly they have made vague comments against everybody. I am for D 2-3. I have said nothing. We run different YouTube and social media channels. They combined everyone," he added.

He further said that this was not a matter for hearing before vacation bench. "I cannot even say the word she has used against me. I will play the video, unprovoked she does a debate and i cannot even say the word she uses. This is a slap suit. They are journalists. They should have some responsibility. It is no urgency at all," the counsel added.

However Kashyap's counsel argued that the name of her child's school had been taken, and urged that "Heavens won't fall if these (content/posts) are taken down".

Kashyap and the TV Today Network have sought removal of allegedly defamatory comments such as "bikau partaker", chatukar", "dalaali', "fake news dukaan", etc., made by Khan Sir in reference to her coverage on "star teachers".

The controversy arose in view of a live debate on the NEET exam system, when Kashyap allegedly criticized online teachers, calling them "frauds" and "explainers" chasing views.

The Rs. 2 crore defamation lawsuit seeks the removal of allegedly defamatory material from online social media platforms.

Title: ANJANA OM KASHYAP & ANR v. FAISAL KHAN & ORS