In a significant order addressing online abuse and gendered harassment in digital spaces, a Delhi court on April 22, 2026, directed the registration of an FIR against political commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra on a complaint filed by Newslaundry’s Editorial Director Manisha Pande and other women journalists. The Court held that the impugned social media posts, published on the platform X (formerly Twitter), disclose cognizable offences involving sexually coloured remarks and insult to the modesty of women.
Complaint and allegations
The application, filed under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), was moved by Manisha Pande on behalf of six complainants, all media professionals associated with the digital platform Newslaundry. The complainants alleged that Mitra had, through a series of posts on his X handle, repeatedly used sexually derogatory language to describe them, including referring to them as “prostitutes” and characterising their workplace in deeply offensive and demeaning terms.
The complaint specifically relied on multiple tweets, including one dated April 28, 2025, containing explicit and abusive language directed at the organisation and its women employees. Another tweet dated February 8, 2025, targeted Pande individually with sexually explicit and degrading remarks. Screenshots of these posts were placed on record before the Court.
Court’s Findings: “Sexually coloured remarks” and prima facie offence
Judicial Magistrate First Class Bhanu Pratap Singh, after examining the material on record, found that the content of the tweets clearly fell within the category of “sexually coloured remarks.” The Court noted that the language used was not merely offensive but carried a clear intent to demean and insult the dignity of the complainants, particularly as one of the tweets explicitly named Manisha Pande.
On this basis, the Court held that the allegations, supported by documentary material, prima facie disclose the commission of cognizable offences under:
- Section 75(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which penalises sexually coloured remarks, and
- Section 79 of the BNS, which deals with acts, intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
The Court’s reasoning underscores a recognition that online speech, when sexually abusive and targeted, can attract serious penal consequences under criminal law.
Necessity of police investigation in cyber context
The court order emphasised on the need for a police investigation, particularly given the digital nature of the alleged offences. Observing that the acts were committed in cyberspace, the Court held that investigative intervention was necessary to:
- Verify the authenticity and ownership of the X account from which the tweets originated, and
- Trace and recover the electronic devices used to publish the content.
Court criticises inadequate police response
The Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the Action Taken Report (ATR) filed by the police. It noted that the report failed to consider the specific tweets relied upon by the complainants, thereby rendering the response incomplete and inadequate.
In light of its findings, the Court directed the Station House Officer of Malviya Nagar Police Station to:
- Register an FIR against Abhijit Iyer Mitra under Sections 75(3) and 79 of the BNS, and
- File a compliance report by May 4, 2026.
The application under Section 175(3) BNSS was accordingly disposed of.
Parallel defamation proceedings before Delhi High Court
The criminal proceedings arise alongside a pending civil defamation suit before the Delhi High Court, where the complainants have sought a public apology and damages amounting to ₹2 crore. In those proceedings, the journalists have contended that Mitra’s posts were not only defamatory but also deliberately malicious and intended to harm their professional reputation and dignity.
The High Court had earlier taken note of the objectionable content and reportedly admonished Mitra, following which the posts in question were taken down. An application seeking rejection of the defamation suit remains pending adjudication.
The order may be read here:
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