'You Had No Authority To Record And No Authority To Use': Delhi HC Directs Rajdeep Sardesai To Take Down 'Defamatory' Video Of Shazia Ilmi

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (13 August) directed journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and India Today news network to take down a video from social media that allegedly showed BJP leader Shazia Ilmi "abusing" an India Today video journalist.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued the order after Ilmi filed a defamation complaint against Sardesai and India Today.

During an earlier hearing, the Court had instructed the counsel for Sardesai and India Today to submit the full, unedited video for examination.

During the proceedings today, the unedited video was submitted to the Court.

After viewing the footage, the Court noted that the video in question was recorded by the India Today cameraperson after Ilmi had removed herself from the televised debate.

"What authority does D1 (Sardesai) and D2 (India Today) have to post this footag?" the Court asked.

"This is not done. You must take down this video. You had no authority to record and no authority to use," the Court remarked.

"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 entered 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, Defendant 2 and Defendants 12's submissions on," the Court noted, Bar and Bench reported.

With Sardesai’s counsel requesting an adjournment, the Court ordered the removal of the video from social media until a decision is reached on Ilmi's request for interim relief.

"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 controversy stems from a debate conducted by Sardesai on 26 July, focusing on the politics surrounding Kargil Vijay Diwas and touching on topics like the Agniveer scheme and the politicisation of defence forces.

Tensions escalated when Ilmi, the BJP spokesperson, interrupted Major General (Retired) Yash Mor, who was critiquing the Agniveer scheme.

Sardesai responded by asserting that the General was presenting “hard facts.”

Ilmi retorted sharply, telling Sardesai, “Don’t sermonise.”

The exchange intensified into a heated argument lasting several minutes, culminating in Ilmi's decision to leave the show.

Later that night, Ilmi took to her X account to accuse Sardesai of lowering her fader (volume) during the broadcast.

“Remember I have been on both 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 responded by posting a video on his X account, alleging that Ilmi had verbally abused the India Today video journalist 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.

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