Khan Sir-Anjana row lands in Delhi High Court with Rs 2 crore defamation suit

NEW DELHI: The war of words between television news and India’s booming online education industry has now moved from screens to the courtroom. Senior journalist and Aaj Tak managing editor Anjana Om Kashyap, along with TV Today Network, has filed a Rs 2 crore civil defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against online educator and YouTuber Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, and several other digital content creators, according to media reports.

The case stems from a heated public dispute that erupted following the cancellation of the 2026 NEET-UG examination amid allegations of a paper leak. During a live debate on May 29, Kashyap criticised what she described as the growing commercialisation of online education and the rise of celebrity-style digital educators. According to the petition, her comments sparked a strong backlash from several prominent online teachers.

Among the most vocal critics was Khan Sir, who allegedly accused Kashyap and Aaj Tak of spreading misinformation and used terms questioning the credibility and independence of the channel’s journalism. Other educators, including Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi and Arvind Bhadauriya, also publicly criticised the anchor and the broadcaster through videos and social media posts.

In the suit, Kashyap and TV Today Network claim that between May 30 and June 4, they were subjected to a coordinated online campaign that went far beyond fair criticism and entered the realm of defamation. The petition argues that derogatory labels and personal attacks were used to damage the reputation of both the journalist and the news network.

One of the most serious allegations concerns the disclosure of information relating to Kashyap’s child. According to the petition, details regarding the school attended by the minor were discussed publicly despite having no connection to the debate over education policy or the NEET controversy. The plaintiffs contend that this amounted to an invasion of privacy and raised significant security concerns.

Kashyap’s legal team has maintained that her original remarks were part of a legitimate public discussion on the commercialisation of education and did not single out any individual educator by name. The petition argues that criticism of public commentary is permissible, but targeted personal attacks and disclosures involving family members cross a legal line.

The lawsuit also names several social media accounts and digital news platform 4PM News Network as defendants. Alongside Rs 2 crore in damages, the plaintiffs are seeking immediate removal of allegedly defamatory videos, posts and articles published across YouTube, X and other online platforms.

The matter is being heard by a vacation bench of justice Neena Bansal Krishna in the Delhi High Court. The case is expected to draw significant attention as it raises broader questions about the limits of online criticism, the responsibilities of influencers with large audiences, and the balance between free speech, reputation and privacy in the digital age.

As the legal battle unfolds, the dispute has become more than a clash between a television anchor and a YouTuber. It is shaping into a landmark test of how India’s courts interpret accountability and expression in an era where both journalists and content creators wield enormous influence over public opinion.