Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra has approached the Delhi High Court, filing a fresh application against allegedly defamatory social media posts made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. The case was briefly heard by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.
The controversy began when lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai made a quote tweet on the X platform, claiming a "bombshell development in the Lokpal case filed by Dr. Nishikant Dubey MP." Shortly after, Dubey posted on Facebook, alleging that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a case with Lokpal regarding Moitra's alleged foreign accounts and expenses. He mentioned receiving a “letter” concerning the same.
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Advocate Samudra Sarangi, representing Moitra, informed the Court that Dehadrai’s tweet was merely a screenshot of Dubey's Facebook post. Moitra’s counsel argued for the takedown of these posts, claiming they were baseless and defamatory. Sarangi further mentioned that Moitra had written to Lokpal regarding Dubey's social media posts, and Lokpal clarified that no communication had been sent to Dubey.
On the other side, Senior Advocate Abhimanyu Bhandari appeared for Dubey, asserting that the Facebook post was based on a Lokpal judgment on Dubey's complaint against Moitra. However, he confirmed that Dubey had not received any fresh communication from Lokpal or any other authority.
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During the hearing, the Court questioned the basis of Dubey’s claim about receiving a “letter.” Bhandari clarified that Dubey often receives information from various sources and that the post was based on the Lokpal judgment itself.
Justice Arora noted that, at first glance, the Lokpal document did not support Dubey’s allegations against Moitra, stating:
"Prima facie, this document does not support your allegations [against Moitra]. Until then, you please deactivate this [post]."
Bhandari responded, arguing that while Dubey has the right to upload the Lokpal order on social media, he cannot make inferences beyond what the order explicitly states.
The Court further addressed the use of abusive language on social media. It suggested that if anyone uses offensive terms against another, the aggrieved party can request the social media platform to take down the post.
Background of the Case
Moitra’s fresh application is part of her ongoing defamation case against Dubey and Dehadrai, which she initially filed in 2023. She alleges that Dubey and Dehadrai made false and defamatory allegations, accusing her of accepting bribes in exchange for asking questions in Parliament.
Moitra's legal action seeks to prevent Dubey, Dehadrai, and media outlets from publishing or posting any false defamatory content against her. She has also requested a public apology from the duo, to be published in three newspapers each — in English, Hindi, and Bengali.
The dispute traces back to a complaint made by Dubey to the Lok Sabha Speaker, accusing Moitra of accepting bribes. Dubey claimed these allegations were based on a letter from Dehadrai. Moitra responded with a legal notice to Dubey, Dehadrai, and several media houses, firmly denying all allegations and stating that she has never accepted any form of remuneration, cash, or benefits in connection with her duties as an MP.
