The Delhi High Court recently criticised actor Richa Chadha, a journalist and several media platforms for amplifying unverified allegations of sexual misconduct against a man who was travelling on an IndiGo flight on March 11, Live Law reported on Wednesday.
Justice Vikas Mahajan observed that such actions amounted to “digital vigilantism” and public shaming that could cause “incalculable harm” to the petitioner’s reputation.
On March 11, a woman journalist travelling on a Delhi to Mumbai IndiGo flight, accused a co-passenger of inappropriately touching her. Shortly after landing, she posted the allegations on social media, disclosing the man’s identity, photograph and professional details.
The post was widely shared and picked up by several media outlets, while Chadha reposted it with the remark “make him famous”.
However, the man has denied the allegations, claiming that he had remained seated throughout the flight and was asleep prior to landing. He subsequently filed a defamation suit before the High Court, Bar and Bench reported.
The court observed that the endorsing and amplifying of unverified allegations, especially by a public figure, went beyond the realm of free expression.
The court said a public figure bears a legal and moral responsibility to verify facts before amplifying serious accusations.
It also took note that Chadha had deleted the post and said it expected her not to aggravate the matter further.
The court further criticised the journalist for posting the allegations on social media before filing a first information report, describing it as an “overhasty public disclosure” that appeared to sensationalise the issue, and subject the man to a “trial by public opinion” rather than pursuing legal remedies, Live Law reported.
It held that revealing the identity and photograph of the accused before the commencement of a formal investigation prima facie violated his “fundamental right to live with dignity and have fair trial”.
The court also directed media organisations to remove the allegedly defamatory content and restrained the defendants from publishing similar material until the next hearing, Bar and Bench reported.
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