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Delhi court orders FIR against Abhijit Iyer Mitra over derogatory posts on women journalists
A Delhi court directed police to register an FIR against commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra for allegedly making abusive remarks about nine women journalists of Newslaundry on social media. The court ordered a police investigation to verify the X platform account from which the tweets were published and to trace the original electronic device, citing sexually coloured remarks and cognisable offences under BNS Sections 75 and 79. The matter requires a compliance report by May 4.
Why It Matters
The ruling underscores judicial action against online harassment of women journalists and signals heightened scrutiny of cyber-enabled abuse and the mechanisms to trace online posts to their sources.
Timeline
3 Events
April 22, 2026 – Court order directs FIR and investigation
April 22, 2026
Judicial Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh directed the Malviya Nagar police to register an FIR against Abhijit Iyer Mitra for allegedly derogatory posts on platform X. The court stated that a police investigation is necessary to verify the user account on X from which the tweets were published, and that the content qualifies as sexually coloured remarks, constituting cognisable offences under BNS Sections 75 and 79. The court also directed tracing and recovery of the computer source/electronic device used to publish the tweets, noted dissatisfaction with the prior Action Taken Report, and ordered the SHO to file a compliance report by May 4.
Apr 28, 2025 – Evidence cited: screenshot of tweet
April 28, 2025
The plea included a screenshot of a tweet dated April 28, 2025, showing the alleged post and placed on record as evidence.
Feb 8, 2025 – Evidence cited: tweet with sexually abusive remarks
February 8, 2025
A tweet dated February 8, 2025, allegedly containing sexually abusive remarks against the women journalists of Newslaundry, was cited in the court records as evidence.