Wikipedia Appeals Delhi HC Order To Remove Content Against ANI

SUMMARY

Wikimedia has sought an appeal before a larger bench of the Delhi HC in connection with the matter

Last week, Delhi HC directed Wikipedia to take down “defamatory edits” on ANI’s Wikipedia pages, including references that the news agency acted as a “propaganda tool” for the Centre

In its petition, the news agency has sought an apology and INR 2 Cr in damages from the online encyclopedia

Wikipedia parent Wikimedia Foundation has reportedly challenged a Delhi High Court order, which directed the online encyclopedia to take down alleged defamatory content against news agency ANI.

Sources told Reuters that Wikimedia has sought an appeal before a larger bench of the Delhi HC. The case was listed for hearing on Monday (April 7) but the matter was postponed to a later undisclosed date.

This comes barely a week after a single-judge bench of the Court, comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad issued the directions. The order reportedly read that “the impugned statements are…defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation” of ANI.

ANI’s petition accused the online platform of allowing “defamatory edits” on ANI’s Wikipedia pages, including references that the news agency acted as a “propaganda tool” for the Centre. The news agency has sought an apology and INR 2 Cr in damages from the online encyclopaedia.

Previously in July 2024, the single-judge bench of the HC also summoned Wikipedia to disclose information related to the three people that made the edits on ANI’s Wikipedia page. Following this, ANI complained to the Court that Wikipedia had not complied with the direction and the HC issued a notice for contempt of court. Subsequently, Wikipedia moved a divisional bench of the HC to challenge the order.

During the hearing, the divisional bench noted that Wikipedia was hosting a page called “Asian News International vs. Wikimedia“ about the case. The bench took strong objection to the page and ordered Wikipedia to take it down, citing the subjudice nature of the matter.

While the digital encyclopedia did take down the page, Wikipedia moved the Supreme Court against the HC’s order. During a hearing last week, the SC raised questions over how the HC could pass the directions without proving contempt.

It is pertinent to note that this is not the first time that foreign digital platforms have landed in the crosshairs of Indian authorities. In March, Maharashtra Cyber Cell registered a case against four Wikipedia editors over ‘objectionable’ content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Social media giant X has also filed a plea before the Karnataka HC, challenging the Centre’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act to block content.