Delhi Court Directs OpIndia To Remove Two Articles Against Journalist Swati Chaturvedi

A Delhi Court has directed Aadhyaasi Media and Content Services Private Limited, which runs the news portal OpIndia, to remove two allegedly defamatory articles published against journalist Swati Chaturvedi.District Judge Meenu Kaushik of Patiala House Courts passed the order while allowing interim injunction plea filed by the journalist. Chaturvedi alleged that OpIndia had circulated defamatory articles falsely claiming that she worked with “leftist propaganda website” The Wire, thereby harming her reputation among her peers and professional circles. She further contended that despite receiving a legal notice, the defendants neither removed the articles nor issued an unconditional apology. The impugned articles were titled “Swati Chaturvedi may be delusional-Sources” and “The Wire and its Star Journalist peddles another absurd lie about RSS and BJP and it's not for the first time.” According to Chaturvedi, the articles described her as “delusional”, accused her of plagiarism and fabrication, and alleged that she ran “extortion rackets”. Opposing the plea, OpIndia argued that the publications were protected under the constitutional guarantee of free speech and were based on material already available in the public domain. It was contended that describing The Wire as “leftist” could not amount to defamation and that the articles constituted fair comment within accepted norms of journalism. The Court, however, observed prima facie that the source articles relied upon by OpIndia did not substantiate several serious allegations made against the journalist, particularly the claim that she was involved in “extortion rackets”. The Court said that by directing OpIndia to remove the impugned articles from their website during the pendency of the suit shall not cause any prejudice to them or curtail their right to freedom of speech as the defendants would get right to prove their defence during trial. “Thus, defendants are directed to block/remove the impugned articles dated 02.06.2018 and 08.05.2019 from their website namely www.opindia.com during the pendency of the suit/till further orders. Defendants are further directed to not to publish any defamatory article qua the plaintiff on their website during the pendency of the suit. In view of above directions, present application stands disposed of,” the Court said. Click here to read order

Delhi Court Directs OpIndia To Remove Two Articles Against Journalist Swati Chaturvedi

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Delhi Court Directs OpIndia To Remove Two Articles Against Journalist Swati Chaturvedi

Nupur Thapliyal

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