The Delhi High Court has ordered journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and the news network India Today to remove a video from X, which allegedly shows BJP leader Shazia Ilmi using abusive language towards an India Today video journalist during a televised debate, Bar and Bench reported.
The controversy emerged following Ilmi’s appearance on an India Today debate last month regarding the Agniveer scheme. Ilmi exited the debate abruptly, claiming that her microphone was cut off to silence her.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued this directive after Ilmi filed a defamation suit.
Reacting to the development, Ilmi posted on X, “Thankfully the Hon’ble Judge, High court has instructed the smear video to be taken down. Now the political sting done against me by a political propagandist will not continue to cause mental and emotional anguish that I have endured all these days. Uparwala Sab Dekh Raha Hai. And a big thank you to all of you who supported me during these trying times of mental and emotional anguish. My family and I feel a deep sense of gratitude.”
In the previous hearing, the High Court had instructed Sardesai and India Today to submit the full, unedited video. This video was reviewed in court on Tuesday, and it was determined that it was recorded by an India Today cameraperson after Ilmi had left the debate.
The Court noted that because the video was taken after Ilmi’s departure, the events shown are between Ilmi and the cameraperson. The Court also expressed concern over Ilmi’s privacy and requested submissions from Sardesai, India Today, and the cameraperson.
Sardesai’s cousel sought an adjournment, and the Court ordered that the video be removed from social media till Ilmi’s application for interim relief is decided. The Court directed that the video, if posted by other users on social media platforms, also be removed.
On July 26, Rajdeep Sardesai hosted a debate to discuss Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day), the Agniveer scheme and the perceived politicisation of the defence forces. Tensions escalated when BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi interrupted Major General (Retired) Yash Mor as he highlighted flaws in the Agniveer scheme.
Sardesai defended Mor, stating that he was presenting “hard facts.” Ilmi retorted, “Don’t sermonise,” leading to a heated exchange between her and Sardesai that lasted several minutes before Ilmi abruptly left the programme.
That evening, Ilmi took to her X account to accuse Sardesai of lowering her microphone volume during 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 posted a video on his X account, alleging that Ilmi had verbally abused an India Today video journalist who was at her residence.
“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.
Ilmi disputed the claims saying that she was recorded without her consent by the cameraman. She argued that her consent ended once she left the show, but the cameraman continued to follow her, which she viewed as an invasion of her privacy.
Ilmi also claimed that Sardesai’s video was edited to damage her reputation by portraying her as ill-mannered. She denied using any abusive language and suggested that the expletives heard in the video were actually uttered by the cameraman and were toned down in Sardesai’s version.
