Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issues notice to the Union government, Delhi Police, X Corp and the journalist
NEW DELHI — Certain tweets by prominent journalist Rana Ayyub appeared “derogatory, inflammatory and communal,” observed the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, directing the Union government, Delhi Police, X Corp and Ayyub to file their responses by Thursday.
The court noted that the matter required urgent consideration. “Action is necessary in view of the highly derogatory, inflammatory and communal tweets,” Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said while issuing notice.
The court was hearing a plea filed by lawyer Amita Sachdeva seeking deletion of the tweets alleging that they were communally sensitive.
The petition alleged that Ayyub’s tweets insult Hindu deities, defame Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and spread anti-India sentiment.
According to the plea, six tweets posted between 2013 and 2017 are “communally sensitive” and have caused harm to religious sentiments and public harmony.
Sachdeva argued that despite exhausting remedies under the IT Rules, the tweets remain accessible online. “The continued availability of the impugned content is causing ongoing injury to religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony,” the petition stated.
Justice Kaurav asked Delhi Police to share relevant documents with X Corp and ensure necessary steps are taken.
The court also noted that an FIR had already been directed by a lower court after finding prima facie evidence of cognisable offences.
“Even an FIR is directed to be registered… on the directions of the court of competent jurisdiction,” the bench observed.
Earlier, a trial court had ordered the registration of a case against Ayyub under provisions related to promoting enmity and hurting religious sentiments.
The FIR includes charges under Sections 153A, 295A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with promoting hatred between groups, outraging religious feelings and public mischief.
Sachdeva had initially approached authorities through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal before moving the court seeking legal action.
The matter has been listed for further hearing later this week, with all parties expected to submit their responses.
The case highlights ongoing legal scrutiny around social media content, free speech and allegations of hate speech in India.
