Newslaundry journos refuse to withdraw defamation suit against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra in Delhi High Court

Newslaundry's Managing Editor Manisha Pande told the Delhi High Court that she will not withdraw the ₹2 crore defamation suit against political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra [Manisha Pande & Ors v. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra].

Justice Vikas Mahajan today recorded Advocate Bani Dikshit's submissions on Pande's instructions that she is not willing to withdraw the suit.

The Court thus listed the matter before the Joint Registrar for further proceedings. 

"The counsel has returned with instructions to the effect that the plaintiff does not wish to withdraw the present suit. List the matter before the Joint Registrar for further proceedings," the Court stated.

The next date of hearing is May 19. 

Pande and other Newslaundry journalists filed the suit against commentator Iyer-Mitra following the latter's tweet describing the news organisation as a “basti/brothel" and its journalists as "prostitutes". It was argued before the High Court that the remarks amount to a sustained campaign of vilification, causing them enormous mental trauma, harassment and embarrassment.

They sought a permanent injunction, a written apology from Iyer-Mitra and damages of ₹2 crore.

On May 21 last year the Court recorded Iyer-Mitra’s undertaking to delete certain posts within five hours. Summons were later issued on May 26, with liberty granted to the plaintiffs to approach the Court again if Iyer-Mitra were to post any fresh defamatory statements.

During those hearings, Senior Advocate Percival Billimoria, appearing for Iyer-Mitra, told the Court that the posts had been deleted.

However, counsel for the plaintiffs pointed out,

“There is absolutely no remorse. He is commenting on the post and writing poetically.”

Billimoria, meanwhile, had pressed for the dismissal of the suit with costs. He even sought an investigation into Newslaundry, but the Court declined to pass any such order, clarifying,

“We are only confined to the posts. If you have any other grievance please take it up elsewhere.”

The Bench ultimately issued summons and kept its interim order in place, cautioning that the plaintiffs could file a fresh suit if any further defamatory material was posted.

The Court observed that the language used by Iyer-Mitra was not permissible in a civilised society and warned that it was inclined to order police action, before Iyer-Mitra agreed to withdraw his earlier tweets.

The plaintiffs alleged that Iyer-Mitra has resumed making defamatory insinuations. In particular, they cite tweets dated July 3, 2025 and August 4, 2025, which revived references to the earlier posts that had already been challenged in Court.

According to the plaintiffs, these fresh remarks continued to erode their reputation and goodwill and encouraged users to post derogatory comments online.