Delhi High Court directs Anjana Om Kashyap and Khan Sir to seek mediation in defamation dispute

The court has nudged both parties toward an amicable settlement, mandating that the educator remove details concerning the journalist’s children from social media.

The Delhi High Court has stepped into the escalating digital war between TV Today Network’s managing editor Anjana Om Kashyap and popular educator Faisal Khan, widely known as Khan Sir. In an order passed on Thursday, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela referred the ongoing defamation case to mediation, urging both sides to lower the temperature of their public discourse. The courtroom proceedings highlighted a disturbing trend where professional critiques are increasingly veering into personal territory.

The lawsuit, which also names prominent educators like Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi, and Arvind Bhadauriya as defendants, stems from a series of social media posts. During the hearing, the counsel for the plaintiffs raised serious alarms, alleging that Khan had disclosed sensitive information regarding where Kashyap’s children study, leading to safety concerns and direct threats against the family. The court acted swiftly, instructing the educator to immediately take down any references to the minors and asking the journalist’s legal team to ensure their client also exercises restraint.

The dispute traces back to late May, when the journalist voiced concerns regarding the credibility of content shared on YouTube. What followed was a flurry of social media activity that spiraled into a legal battle. During the arguments, the plaintiffs’ legal representatives contended that these educators were using their platforms to discuss politics—a domain they argued is outside the purview of their professional curriculum. In a candid observation, the judge remarked that in the current climate, everyone seems to have an opinion on politics, noting, “A person who doesn’t know anything about politics discusses politics. That is what politics is all about.”

Why it matters

This case serves as a stark reminder of the fragile boundary between public interest journalism and the unchecked influence of social media influencers. As they continue to command massive followings among India’s youth, the responsibility of these educators is under scrutiny. The court’s insistence that this “is not an issue that should be coming to court” underscores a growing judicial concern: the weaponization of online influence has reached a point where it threatens the safety of individuals and their families. If this conflict is resolved through mediation, it might set a necessary precedent for how digital disagreements between public figures are managed before they boil over into litigation.

The parties have agreed to explore settlement terms with the help of a senior mediator, with proceedings expected to commence shortly. For now, the court has mandated a cooling-off period, signaling that while the right to dissent is protected, it does not grant a license to cross personal boundaries or endanger families. The matter is slated to return to the bench next week to track the progress of these talks.