The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and news network India Today to take down from social media, a video showing BJP leader Shazia Ilmi allegedly abusing a video journalist of India Today group.
The order was passed by the single-judge Bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora on a defamation suit filed by Ilmi.
During the previous hearing, the High Court had asked the Counsel representing Sardesai and India Today to place the full unedited video on record.
The video was placed on record today. After watching it, the High Court opined that the video was recorded by India Today cameraperson after Ilimi had removed herself from the show.
It noted that since the video was recorded after the plaintiff had removed herself from the show, the happening of the events between the plaintiff and Defendant 12 (Cameraperson) and also the issue of the privacy of the plaintiff was a matter, on which the High Court would like to hear the submissions of Defendant, Defendant 2 and Defendants 12.
After the counsel representing Sardesai sought an adjournment in the matter, the single-judge Bench directed that the video uploaded on social media be removed till Ilmi’s application for interim relief was decided.
On July 26, a debate was held by Sardesai on India Today on politics over Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day). The programme also discussed issues of Agniveer and politicisation of the defence forces.
Sardesai and Ilmi clashed as the BJP spokesperson intervened while Major General (Retired) Yash Mor was pointing out the shortcomings in the Agniveer scheme. As Ilmi intervened, Sardesai said that the former General was putting forth hard facts.
Ilmi asked Sardesai not to ‘sermonise’. This led to a heated argument between Sardesai and Ilmi for several minutes, after which the BJP leader left the show.
Ilmi posted a tweet on her X account on the night of July 26, accusing Sardesai of bringing down her fader (volume) on the show.
“Remember I have been on both the sides and know how to handle bullies like you. BTW it doesn’t behove political propagandists masquerading as journalists to sermonise,” she posted.
Sardesai shared a video on his X account on the morning of July 27, alleging that Ilmi had abused the India Today video journalist present at her home.
“If you have a grouse with me or with an army general on the show, of course that’s your prerogative. And I respect that too. But for you to chuck the mike and abuse our video journalist and throw him out of your house is just NOT done. He was only doing his job. No excuse for bad behaviour. The rest I leave to you. Have a good weekend,” he posted.