Delhi High Court orders Rajdeep Sardesai to take down video against Shazia Ilmi

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and news network India Today to take down a video uploaded by Sardesai on social media showing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi allegedly "abusing" an India Today video journalist..Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the order after Ilmi moved the Court for defamation. In the previous hearing, the High Court had asked Sardesai and India Today counsel to place the full unedited video on record.The video was placed on record today and the Court after watching it, opined that the video was recorded by India Today cameraperson after Ilimi had removed herself from the show. "This court is also of the opinion that since the video was recorded after the plaintiff [Ilmi] had removed herself from the show, the happening of the events was a matter between the plaintiff and Defendant 12 (Cameraperson) and also the issue of the privacy of the plaintiff is a matter which the court would like to hear Defendant 1, Defendant 2 and Defendant 12's submissions on," the Court noted.Since Sardesai's counsel sought an adjournment in the matter, the Court directed that the video uploaded on social media should be removed till Ilmi's application for interim relief is decided."In the interregnum, in view of the request for adjournment made by the counsel, D1 (Sardesai) is directed to take down the video uploaded on his social media post until the disposal of this application [interim relief application]," the Court ordered.The Court further ordered blocking of the same video uploaded on social media platforms by other users. .Justice Arora said that the order will remain in force till the Court decides Ilmi's plea for interim relief. The High Court has issued notice to Sardesai, India Today and others and listed the case for further consideration on August 16. .Advocate Nattasha Garg appeared for Shazia Ilmi. Rajdeep Sardesai and India Today were represented by Advocate Hrishikesh Baruah..The dispute arose from a July 26 debate held by Sardesai on India Today on the politics over Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day). The programme also discussed issues of Agniveer and politicisation of the defence forces.Sardesai and Ilmi clashed as the BJP spokesperson intervened while Major General (Retired) Yash Mor was pointing out the shortcomings in the Agniveer scheme. As Ilmi intervened, Sardesai said that the former General was putting forth “hard facts”.Ilmi responded, “Don’t sermonise”.A heated argument followed between the journalist and Ilmi for several minutes, after which Ilmi left the show..That same night, Ilmi posted a tweet on her X account accusing Sardesai of bringing down her fader (volume) on the show.“Remember I have been on both the sides and know how to handle bullies like you. BTW it doesn’t behove political propagandists masquerading as journalists to sermonise,” she posted.The next morning, Sardesai shared a video on his X account alleging that Ilmi had abused the India Today video journalist present at her home.“If you have a grouse with me or with an army general on the show, of course that’s your prerogative. And I respect that too. But for you to chuck the Mike and abuse our video journalist and throw him out of your house is just NOT done. He was only doing his job. No excuse for bad behaviour. The rest I leave to you. Have a good weekend,” he wrote.