Introduction:

In a recent legal development, the Delhi High Court has issued directives to Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Jairam Ramesh, and Pawan Khera to delete tweets deemed defamatory against senior journalist Rajat Sharma. This order stems from a defamation suit filed by Sharma following allegations of abusive language directed at Nayak during a televised debate on election results.

Arguments of Both Sides:

Rajat Sharma, represented by his legal counsel, argued that the tweets in question, alleging abusive behavior, were defamatory and had caused reputational harm. The petitioner emphasized the need for immediate removal of these tweets to mitigate further damage and uphold professional integrity.

The Congress leaders, through their legal representatives, acknowledged the court’s interim injunction but reserved their rights to challenge the order. They committed to deleting the tweets promptly upon unblocking by X Corp (formerly Twitter), asserting compliance without prejudice to their legal defenses.

Court’s Judgment:

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed X Corp to unblock the geo-blocked tweets by 5 PM and instructed the Congress leaders to delete them by 7 PM on July 12, 2024. The court emphasized adherence to the Intermediary Guidelines and upheld Sharma’s right to seek redress for alleged defamation. The judgment underscored the importance of timely compliance with court orders to uphold journalistic integrity and mitigate reputational damage.