The Delhi High Court has declined to take suo motu cognizance of reported “social media trolling” targeting a Saket District Court judge who had stayed an order directing registration of an FIR against commentator and defence analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra.
The case arises from a complaint filed by Newslaundry’s Editorial Director Manisha Pande against Mitra, alleging that he made abusive and derogatory comments about her and other women employees of the digital news platform online.
Background
A trial court had directed registration of an FIR against Abhijit Iyer Mitra based on Manisha Pande’s complaint. Mitra subsequently challenged this order before a Saket District Court judge, who stayed the direction to register the FIR. Following this stay, reports emerged of a social media campaign allegedly targeting the trial court judge who passed the stay order.
Delhi High Court’s Decision
The Delhi High Court, on June 12, 2026, refused to take suo motu cognizance of the alleged social media trolling of the trial judge. The High Court was approached with a request to take up the matter on its own motion, but declined to do so.
The ruling does not prevent any individual from separately approaching the appropriate authorities if they believe that the social media campaign amounts to contempt of court or any other legal offence.
Judicial Independence and Social Media
The incident raises important questions about the protection of judicial officers from social media harassment following their judicial decisions. In recent years, there have been increasing concerns about attempts to intimidate judges through online campaigns aimed at influencing judicial decision-making.
The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, provides safeguards against acts that scandalise or lower the authority of any court. However, the application of contempt proceedings in the context of social media commentary remains a nuanced and developing area of law in India.
Context
Abhijit Iyer Mitra is a commentator who has been involved in several legal controversies in the past. The Newslaundry case is one of the more recent legal matters involving allegations of online harassment and abuse. The case touches on issues at the intersection of free speech, gender-based online abuse, and the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Court: Delhi High Court | Date: June 12, 2026 | Source: LiveLaw
