Delhi High Court orders Sudarshan News to remove video calling Muslim man 'Jihadi', accusing him of forceful conversion

The Delhi High Court on Friday took serious exception to a report carried by Sudarshan News containing allegations of forceful conversion against a man named Azmat Ali Khan, and ordered the channel to immediately remove the video. .The Court expressed its displeasure at the report being carried on a matter that was under investigation by the Delhi Police and the use of the words like 'Jihadi' in the programme. Justice Prathiba M Singh took note of the threatening comments made under the video and observed that it poses a danger to Khan's safety and security. The Court, therefore, ordered Sudarshan News as well as social media platforms like YouTube and Twitter and the government authorities to immediately block the video from public viewing. “Considering that there is a severe threat as is evident from the comments, it is directed that the links which have been set out shall be immediately blocked for public viewing,” the court ordered.Justice Singh underlined,"It is a question of his security. If they (Sudarshan News) don't block it, you (social media platforms) block it. My directions are clear. It (the video) has to be blocked by everybody". .Justice Singh was dealing with a plea filed by Khan stating that a woman with whom he was in romantic relationship for nearly seven years alleged that he tried to convert her to Islam. On these allegations, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against him but court granted him anticipatory bail in the matter, the counsel stated. Advocate Rajiv Bajaj appeared for Khan and stated that Sudarshan News carried a report recently where various allegations were made against Khan and offensive words like 'Jihadi' were used for him. One of the video was also played in the court and the counsel said that the channel's reporters were harassing Khan and his family. He further said that even Aaj Tak held a debate on the issue last night..The counsel appearing for the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) said that it cannot take any action in the case because Sudarshan News is not its member. The Press Council of India (PCI) also said said that it cannot take action on videos on YouTube and other platforms. .After considering the case, Justice Singh passed the order directing Sudarshan and several other all news organisations to to take down/block the content. The bench issued notice to Suresh Chavhanke, Sudarshan News, Orissa TV, Bharat Prakashan, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), NBDA, PCI and social media platforms. The Court also issued notice to the Delhi Police and asked it to file a status report in the matter. The Delhi Police was also asked to contact the complainant and intimate her about the proceedings. The case will now be considered on May 24. .The petitioner Azmat Ali Khan was represented through Advocates Rajiv Bajaj, Surabh Soni and Karan Prakash. .[Read Order]