Delhi Sessions Court Stays FIR Against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Over Social Media Posts

A Delhi Sessions Court has temporarily halted an order to file an FIR against Abhijit Iyer-Mitra regarding controversial social media posts targeting journalists. The stay, granted due to a revision petition, will last until the next hearing on May 28. Both sides presented arguments related to the case's background and content standards.

A Sessions Court at Saket in Delhi on Monday stayed a prior order directing the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, over his alleged objectionable social media posts targeting journalists including Manisha Pande. This interim relief, granted by Additional Sessions Judge Purushottam Pathak, follows Iyer-Mitra's revision petition challenging the Magistrate's prior directive. It's set to last until the next hearing on May 28.

During arguments, senior advocate Percival Billimoria and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, representing Iyer-Mitra, revealed that the case had historical context involving the accused and Newslaundry. They contended that Iyer-Mitra's posts were responses to Newslaundry content allegedly defending child rape and argued that the platform itself published sexually suggestive material. The defense highlighted perceived double standards in content treatment.

Opposing the interim relief, advocate Bani Dikshit claimed the petition was filed with undue delay, as the matter was listed for compliance. She also alleged that the defense was misleading the Court. After hearing both sides, the Sessions Court noted that without a stay, the revision might become pointless, hence granted an interim stay and issued notifications to the Delhi Police and complainant journalists.