The Delhi High Court has declined to initiate suo motu proceedings over online trolling and criticism directed at a Saket Court judge who had stayed an order directing registration of an FIR against political commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra for his alleged objectionable social media remarks concerning Newslaundry and its women journalists.
The issue arose after Additional Sessions Judge Purushottam Pathak of the Saket Courts stayed a magistrate’s order that had directed the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. While granting interim relief, the Sessions Court observed that the impugned posts were in the nature of “shayari” and no individual had been specifically named in the posts, warranting further examination before criminal proceedings were initiated.
Following the stay order, concerns were raised before the Delhi High Court regarding social media criticism and trolling allegedly targeting the Sessions Judge. However, the High Court refused to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
Background of the case
The controversy traces back to a complaint filed by Newslaundry Editorial Director Manisha Pande and other women journalists, who alleged that Abhijit Iyer-Mitra had posted sexually coloured and derogatory remarks targeting them on social media. Acting on their complaint, a magistrate’s court had directed registration of an FIR, observing that the allegations prima facie disclosed offences relating to sexual harassment and insulting the modesty of women.
However, the Sessions Court stayed the FIR order, noting that the meaning and context of the impugned posts required closer scrutiny before criminal law could be set in motion.