High Court
Delhi HC orders X user to pay Rs 5 lakh to TV Today over defamatory posts
MUMBAI: The Delhi High Court has directed X user Anurag Srivastava to pay Rs 5 lakh in damages to TV Today for defamatory posts on X targeting the channel and its journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. The posts were made in reaction to an interview with actor Rhea Chakraborty that aired in 2020.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav held that the posts were “highly defamatory” and had not been backed by evidence, despite the defendant being given enough opportunity to do so.
“The Court finds that the objectionable tweets were highly defamatory and remain unsubstantiated by the defendant, despite having been afforded sufficient opportunity to do so. Such an irresponsible act of the defendant has to be deprecated.
“Having considered the overall circumstances, this Court deems it just and proper to award Rs 5,00,000 as general compensatory damages to the plaintiff, to redress the reputational harm, emotional hardship, and loss of professional credibility caused by the conduct of the defendant,” the order read.
The case was filed in 2020 by TV Today against Srivastava, who operated the handles @theanuragkts and @theanuragoffice on X (formerly Twitter).
Soon after the interview went live, Srivastava posted derogatory comments about Sardesai, including calling him a “dalla,” (a derogatory Hindi term implying ‘pimp’), and comparing him to controversial preacher Zakir Naik. He also alleged that Chakraborty had bribed both Sardesai and the channel to secure the interview.
TV Today told the court that these remarks were part of a “systematic attack” on the anchor and the network’s reputation. It added that the damage extended to its business as well, pointing out that annual income fell from Rs 899.57 crore in 2019–20 to Rs 819.92 crore in 2020–21.
Srivastava later deleted the posts and assured the court that he would not repost them. Interim orders had already restrained him from uploading similar content.
The High Court has now directed him to pay Rs 5 lakh to TV Today as compensation for reputational harm and loss of credibility.
High Court
Delhi HC blocks illegal IPL 2026 streams, backs JioStar rights
Court orders swift takedowns, expands crackdown on piracy apps
NEW DELHI: In a timely move ahead of the cricketing season, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to JioStar India Private Limited, clamping down on illegal streaming of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026.
The court passed ex parte ad interim injunctions in two separate suits, restraining rogue websites and mobile applications from broadcasting IPL matches without authorisation. The tournament is set to begin on 28 March, making the timing of the order particularly significant.
Recognising JioStar’s exclusive digital and broadcast rights for the IPL cycle from 2023 to 2027, the court observed that unauthorised streaming would infringe its statutory and proprietary rights, potentially causing irreparable losses.
In one case, the court directed several identified websites to immediately stop hosting or streaming IPL content. It also issued a dynamic injunction, allowing JioStar to flag new infringing platforms in real time, which must then be blocked swiftly by domain registrars and internet service providers.
In a parallel order, the court turned its attention to piracy through mobile apps, particularly Android-based platforms distributing content via APK files. A broader dynamic+ injunction was granted, extending to future variants, mirror links and related interfaces, signalling a tougher stance on evolving piracy tactics.
The court also directed domain name registrars to suspend offending domains and share registrant details, including KYC and payment information. Internet service providers and telecom operators have been instructed to block access within strict timelines, in some instances within 36 hours. Both the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have been asked to facilitate enforcement through necessary notifications.
Noting the fast-changing nature of digital piracy, the court emphasised the need for real-time enforcement tools to keep pace with anonymous and constantly shifting networks. It also underlined the commercial impact of piracy on legitimate rights holders.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting intellectual property in the digital age. For viewers, it is a reminder to stick to official platforms as the IPL season kicks off under tighter watch.
