In a striking rebuke, the Delhi High Court directed the removal of a YouTube video from News18 and over a dozen posts on X (formerly Twitter) that tarnished the reputation of Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed. The court found BJP spokesperson Sanju Verma’s comments, made during an August 20 debate, to be deeply offensive, going beyond the boundaries of public decency.
Justice Vikas Mahajan ruled that the derogatory terms used by Verma, including accusations that Mohamed was “Madrassa-bred” and labeling her “a bigot,” were both unjustified and damaging. The verbal attacks, which also included questioning Mohamed’s professional credentials as a dentist, were labeled as reckless and defamatory. According to the court, the insults appeared to have been uttered without regard for decorum or the reasonable standards expected in public discourse.
The court underscored the critical importance of safeguarding individual dignity, emphasizing that reputation remains a cornerstone of personal honor. It highlighted that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it must be wielded responsibly and without encroaching on others’ rights or causing harm for the sake of political skirmishes.
Shama Mohamed’s legal team argued that the discussion on the News18 debate had devolved into personal attacks rather than addressing the topic at hand, which concerned a high-profile case in West Bengal. They further highlighted a pattern of abusive rhetoric allowed by the channel, which has previously faced regulatory scrutiny and penalties for similar conduct.
Convinced of the necessity for interim relief, the High Court ordered a sweeping takedown of defamatory content and issued summons to Verma, News18, and relevant social media platforms.
