HC seeks Khan Sir’s response in Kashyap plea.
Kashyap seeks ₹2 crore damages from Khan Sir.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday sought responses from educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, and several other teachers in a defamation lawsuit filed by TV The case concerns social media posts that the media organization alleges were defamatory, abusive and damaging to the journalist’s professional reputation.
A vacation bench headed by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna declined to pass any interim order directing the removal of the disputed content at this stage. Instead, the court asked the defendants to file their replies and scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.
During the proceedings, senior counsel representing the plaintiffs argued that several educators had posted derogatory and defamatory content targeting Kashyap on social media platforms. According to the plaintiffs, the posts not only contained offensive language but also spread allegations that harmed her public image and credibility as a journalist.
The counsel urged the court to order the immediate removal of the posts, contending that their continued circulation was causing ongoing damage. However, the court indicated that it would first hear all parties before deciding on any interim relief.
“I need to hear them,” the court observed while directing those appearing in the matter to submit their responses to the application filed by the plaintiffs.
Apart from Khan Sir, the lawsuit names several prominent educators and coaching figures as defendants. These include Abhinay Sharma, founder of Abhinay Maths; Babita Tyagi, co-founder of ICS Coaching; and Arvind Bhadauriya of Naiya Paar Education. The plaintiffs allege that these individuals participated in or contributed to the dissemination of content that crossed the boundaries of fair criticism.
During the programme aired on May 29, Kashyap reportedly raised concerns about the credibility and accountability of YouTube-based educators in the context of the controversy surrounding the NEET examination paper leak.
The plaintiffs claim that, instead of engaging in legitimate criticism of the broadcast, the defendants launched personal attacks against Kashyap through social media posts made between May 30 and June 4. The suit alleges that the educators used “toxic,” “abusive,” and derogatory language that targeted her character, integrity and professional standing.
The plaintiffs further contend that the posts were widely shared and amplified by other users, increasing their reach and impact. According to the filing, some of the content allegedly encouraged hostility and contributed to online harassment directed at the journalist.
Counsel representing one of the defendants argued before the court that the disputed posts were reactions to comments made during Kashyap’s television broadcast. The defence suggested that the statements were expressions of disagreement and criticism rather than defamatory attacks.
The court did not express any opinion on the merits of either side’s arguments during the hearing. Instead, it emphasized the need to consider responses from all parties before making any determination regarding the allegations.
In addition to seeking removal of the social media posts, Kashyap and TV Today Network have sought damages of ₹2 crore from Khan Sir and the other defendants. The plaintiffs have also requested an injunction restraining them from publishing or sharing any further allegedly defamatory or disparaging remarks.
The case is expected to return before the Delhi High Court next week, when the court will consider the responses filed by the defendants and examine whether any interim relief is warranted pending final adjudication of the dispute.