Delhi High Court orders Wikipedia to takedown defamatory edits on ANI page

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday passed an interim order directing Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, to takedown the alleged defamatory statements made on Wikipedia page about news agency Asian News International (ANI)..Justice Subramonium Prasad was dealing with an interim application moved by the ANI, which has filed a suit accusing Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia) of allowing defamatory edits on its page including references that the news agency acts as a "propaganda tool" for the Central government.While pronouncing the order, the Court said certain prayers have been allowed. It said the order copy will be uploaded on the Court website by evening today..The Court in December 2024 had reserved its decision on the interim application and said it would go through the news articles that form basis of the alleged defamatory edits against ANI on its Wikipedia page.However, it had also wondered whether it can go into such detail at the interim stage."This is an understanding of the editor of what the source means. If the understanding is so defamatory that it is relying on something which actually does not mean it at all, then the person can be restrained... again the question is even if it can be understood in that way, then would the court go deeper into that aspect to come to a conclusion as to whether in no circumstances can it be construed it as that at all," the single-judge had said..The High Court in July 2024 had issued summons to Wikipedia and ordered it to disclose information about three people who made the edits on ANI's Wikipedia page.After ANI complained that Wikipedia had not complied with this directive, the single-judge took strong objection to Wikipedia's conduct and issued a notice for contempt of court. Wikipedia then moved the Division Bench in appeal.The single-judge had also ordered an authorised representative of Wikipedia to be personally present in Court on October 25, when the contempt case was listed next.These single-judge directives were challenged by Wikipedia before the Division Bench where both ANI and Wikipedia reached an agreement and the latter agreed to serve notice on the users thereby protecting their identity. Wikipedia then served notices on the three users accused of defamation by ANI..Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta represented Wikipedia. ANI was represented by Advocate Sidhant Kumar..Pertinently, when the matter had come up before the Division Bench, it was noted that Wikipedia was hosting a page - 'Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation', about the case. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan (who has since been elevated to the apex court) and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela had taken strong objection to the same and ordered Wikipedia to take it down. Though the page has since been taken down, Wikipedia has moved the top court against the High Court order. The Supreme Court on March 17 issued notice to ANI and listed before the matter for consideration on April 4.