Abhijit Iyer Mitra's Post Was In 'Shayari' Form : Delhi Court Stays Order For FIR For Post Against Manisha Pande
Nupur Thapliyal
9 Jun 2026 9:16 PM IST
The Court noted that no individual was named in Mitra's post over which an FIR was sought on the ground that it was a sexually coloured comment.
A Delhi Court on Tuesday stayed the order passed by a magistrate directing registration of FIR against commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra on a complaint case filed by digital news platform Newslaundry's Editorial Director Manisha Pande accusing him of abusing her and other women employees on social media.
Additional Sessions Judge Purushottam Pathak of Saket Courts said that the alleged derogatory words were in form of shayari but no individual was specifically named therein.
The judge also said that the meticulous interpretation of the words and sentences used can only be done after hearing both the parties on merits on the revision petition.
“Even otherwise, no prejudice shall be caused to the respondent/complainant, in case, the operation of the impugned order is stayed till final disposal of the revision petition on merits,” the Court said.
The sessions judge passed the order afresh after the Delhi High Court had set aside his earlier order staying the direction for FIR, observing that the same was passed without any reasons.
The order has been passed on Mitra's plea challenging the magistrate's order.
To recall, the magistrate court had ruled in favour of Pande who had sought registration of FIR against Mitra. The court had said that Mitra's tweets qualify as “sexually coloured remarks" and were "prime facie" intended to insult the modesty of the complainant, who had been named in one of the tweets.
In an order passed today, the sessions court said that the action taken report filed by the police, claims to have supported the version of Mitra on one hand and on the other hand, it contains insufficient details or is inconclusive.
It added that the assistance of the police officials was required to ascertain the mens-rea or motive, which could only be determined after taking on record respective replies of both the parties in revision and hearing arguments.
“Hence, the balance of convenience lies in grant of stay on the operation of impugned order in the interest of justice and to give fair opportunity to the revisionist to exercise his valuable right of revision. The argument on behalf of revisionist/accused bears force that there is no exigency for registration of FIR without hearing his defence and depriving or negating his explanation one sidedly,” the Court said.
For context, the women journalists had sued Mitra before the Delhi High Court for defamation. They have sought a public apology from Mitra and Rs. 2 crore as damages and compensation.
Before the High Court, the journalists contended that the allegedly defamatory posts by Iyer on X were libellous, unfounded and misconceived, tainted with collateral objectives, having been made knowingly and deliberately, calculated to harm the dignity and reputation of the women employees.
According to them, Iyer, through his series of posts on X platform, had “falsely and maliciously” labelled the women employees using allegedly derogatory terms and slurs, referring to them as 'prostitute' and their workplace as a 'brothel'.
Earlier, the High Court had rapped Iyer for his tweets and after which Mitra had taken down the posts in question.
Later, Mitra moved the High Court seeking rejection of the defamation suit. The matter is pending consideration.
