The Delhi High Court has summoned commentator Abhijit Iyer-Mitra and multiple media platforms in connection to a lawsuit filed by Saurav Das, leader of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). This legal action stems from allegations that Das’s residential address and other private information were disseminated on social media without his authorisation. The summons was issued during a hearing on August 21, when Das sought temporary protection against the alleged violation of his personal privacy.

During proceedings, the court learned that the platform X, previously known as Twitter, had removed the posts that purportedly contained Das’s address. Justice Sachin Datta presided over the session and acknowledged the request for interim protection while directing the defendants to present their responses by the next hearing date.

The court is scheduled to reconvene on September 14 to further examine the matter surrounding the allegations made by Das against the defendants involved.

Allegations of Invasion of Privacy and Security Concerns

Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Das, claimed that personnel from a media outlet called The Pamphlet unlawfully entered his client’s residence to record video footage. Sibal alleged that Iyer-Mitra later augmented this video and distributed it on social media, thereby exacerbating the invasion of privacy. Notably, certain posts on X reportedly included Das’s residential address.

In light of these violations, Sibal urged the court to take measures ensuring that the removed posts remain inaccessible and are not republished. The legal representation for X confirmed to the court that the relevant links are currently unavailable. This assertion was officially recorded for the proceedings.

Similarly, the counsel for The Pamphlet indicated that the posts in question had been deleted from X and requested additional time to respond to the allegations comprehensively.

Broader Implications of the Lawsuit

Das’s legal action extends beyond Iyer-Mitra and The Pamphlet, naming other defendants including LawBeat, The Jaipur Dialogues, The Sunday Guardian, Google LLC, and X Corp. In addition to seeking permanent and mandatory injunctions, Das demands monetary compensation for the alleged breaches of privacy, dignity, and security he has faced due to these disclosures.

In his complaint, Das contends that the publication of his private address and sensitive information without consent poses significant security risks not only to himself but also to the other inhabitants of his home. His concerns are magnified by prior incidents where he faced threats and hostility associated with his journalistic activities and public engagements.

During the court’s discussions, Das’s representatives stressed the serious security ramifications of publicly sharing a person’s residential information and called for ongoing protective measures against any future restoration or circulation of the incriminating posts. However, the court has yet to rule on the merits of the allegations, allowing both sides the chance to submit their formal responses.

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