Delhi High Court orders Janam TV, Janmabhumi to take down "George Soros link" stories against Dhanya Rajendran

The Delhi High Court recently ordered the takedown of articles and YouTube videos alleging that journalist Dhanya Rajendran and a host of digital news publications are “agents” of billionaire George Soros [Dhanya Rajendran & Anr v. Galaxy Zoom India Ovt Ltd and & Ors]..In an order passed on July 15, Justice Vikas Mahajan held that the allegations were “defamatory and libelous” and made in a reckless manner without regard to the truth to injure 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.It, therefore, directed Kerala-based news channels The Karma News and Janam TV and 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 organisation.The posts and videos have to be removed within ten days, the Court ordered..DigiPub is an association of over 100 digital media organisations and independent journalists. Its members include journalists Barkha Dutt, Ravish Kumar and news publications Alt News, The Wire, The Quint, Scroll, The News Minute and Newslaundry.Bar & Bench is also a member of the organisation which Rajendran heads..The videos and articles referred to alleged that Rajendran and DigiPub are "agents of Soros" and that central investigative agencies have found that the the billionaire gave funds to Indian online media outlets through DigiPub.It was alleged that the plaintiffs (Rajendran and DigiPub) were acting as "conduits of foreign money to cause disruption in India," thereby, insinuating that they are indulging in illegal activities affecting the integrity and security of the country.They denied the allegations and sued the defendant platforms for defamation. Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao appeared for Rajendran and DigiPub and argued that the defendant publications are deliberately spreading fake news to malign the reputation and goodwill of the plaintiffs.He furnished DigiPub’s balance sheet before the Court and said that their source of revenue is only in the form of Founder Membership Fee and Membership Fee. Further, their foreign exchange income was only ₹22,269 as of March 31, 2022..Justice Mahajan agreed with the plaintiff’s submissions and passed the take down order..Besides Rao, advocates Aashna Chawla, Shreya Singhal, Tanveer Oberoi, Mhasilenuo Keditsu, Bani Dikshit, Nipun Katyal and Udhav Khanna appeared for Rajendran and DigiPub.Advocate Aditya Gupta appeared for Google. .[Read Order]