Delhi High Court Sees Defamation Case Filed by Newslaundry Employees Against Commentator

In a significant legal move, nine female employees of Newslaundry have filed a defamation suit against commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra, alleging that he made sexually abusive remarks about them on social media. They are seeking a public apology and substantial damages, arguing that his comments are not protected under free speech but are instead sexist slurs aimed at undermining their dignity. The case is set to be heard in the Delhi High Court, highlighting ongoing issues of workplace harassment and the treatment of women professionals in media.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2025, 21:01 IST

Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Newslaundry Staff

A group of nine female employees from the digital news platform Newslaundry has initiated a defamation lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra. They accuse him of making sexually abusive comments directed at them via social media posts.

The plaintiffs are demanding a public apology from Mitra, who is also a columnist for a pro-Narendra Modi publication, along with a compensation of Rs 2 crore.

In their legal filing, the women assert that Mitra has targeted them with derogatory language and slurs through a series of social media posts, which they claim were made 'falsely and maliciously.'

They further allege that these posts were crafted 'knowingly and deliberately' to damage their dignity and reputation.

The employees argue that Mitra's remarks do not fall under the umbrella of free speech or journalistic critique. Instead, they characterize them as sexist insults intended to demean women in the workplace.

They emphasize that such comments infringe upon their dignity and their right to work without the threat of sexual harassment.

The case is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.