The Delhi High Court recently ordered the removal of articles and YouTube videos that claimed journalist Dhanya Rajendran and several digital news publications are “agents” of billionaire George Soros [Dhanya Rajendran & Anr v. Galaxy Zoom India Pvt Ltd & Ors].
In an order dated July 15, Justice Vikas Mahajan declared the allegations to be “defamatory and libelous,” made recklessly without regard for the truth, and aimed at damaging the reputation of Rajendran and DigiPub, an association of digital news publications and journalists.
“I am of the prima facie view that the allegations in various posts/videos are not based on any credible and reliable sources for making out a case that the said allegations are true and based on facts. Further, such allegations do not seem to be premised on a public record document such as any criminal case registered or pending against the plaintiff no.1 (Rajendran),” the Court held.
Consequently, the Court directed the Kerala-based news channels The Karma News and Janam TV, along with the Malayalam newspaper Janmabhumi (defendants), to take down the defamatory articles and YouTube videos alleging that Rajendran and other news publications received funds from George Soros and his organization.
The Court ordered that the posts and videos be removed within ten days.
DigiPub is an association of over 100 digital media organizations and independent journalists, including notable members such as journalists Barkha Dutt, Ravish Kumar, and news publications like Alt News, The Wire, The Quint, Scroll, The News Minute, and Newslaundry.
Bar & Bench is also a member of DigiPub, which Rajendran heads.
The videos and articles in question accused Rajendran and DigiPub of being “agents of Soros” and claimed that central investigative agencies had discovered that the billionaire funneled funds to Indian online media outlets through DigiPub.
The allegations suggested that the plaintiffs (Rajendran and DigiPub) were acting as “conduits of foreign money to cause disruption in India,” implying they were involved in illegal activities affecting the country’s integrity and security.
The plaintiffs sued the defendant platforms for defamation, denying the allegations.
Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao, representing the plaintiffs, argued that the defendant publications were deliberately spreading fake news to tarnish the plaintiffs’ reputation and goodwill. He presented DigiPub’s balance sheet to the Court, showing that their revenue sources were limited to Founder Membership Fees and Membership Fees, with a foreign exchange income of only ₹22,269 as of March 31, 2022.
Justice Mahajan accepted the plaintiff’s arguments and issued the takedown order.
Besides Rao, advocates Aashna Chawla, Shreya Singhal, Panveer Oberoi, Mhasilendo Keditsu, Bani Dikshit, Nipun Katyal, and Udhav Khanna represented Rajendran and DigiPub.
Advocate Aditya Gupta appeared for Google.
