Delhi HC Orders Congress Leaders to Remove ‘Derogatory Tweets’ Against India TV Chairman Rajat Sharma

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th July. The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Jairam Ramesh, and Pawan Khera, ordering them to immediately remove ‘derogatory tweets’ against India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma by 7 pm today. This decision follows a defamation suit filed by Rajat Sharma, who alleged false accusations of abusive language during his television show.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora also instructed X Corp (formerly Twitter) to unblock the tweets, which the platform had geo-blocked, by 5 pm today. The court mandated that once unblocked, Congress leaders must delete the tweets within one hour.

Earlier, on June 14, another bench had directed the Congress leaders and X Corp to remove the posts within seven days under the Intermediary Guidelines. Despite X Corp geo-blocking the tweets on July 4, the tweets remained undeleted by the Congress leaders, prompting further court action.

The controversy arose when Ragini Nayak accused Rajat Sharma of using abusive language towards her during a televised debate on the evening of June 4, coinciding with the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. Rajat Sharma’s counsel argued that the alleged abusive clip circulating online was doctored, as the original footage did not contain such content.

In addition to the tweets, the Delhi High Court also ordered the removal of a YouTube video from the Congress’ channel where Ragini Nayak reiterated her allegations. Several related URLs have been instructed to be taken down within seven days.