Video Posted By Ragini Nayak Alleging Abuse By Journalist Rajat Sharma Not Edited Or Fake: Twitter To Delhi High Court

X Corp, formerly Twitter, has told the Delhi High Court that the video posted by Congress leader Ragini Nayak on the social media platform alleging that senior journalist Rajat Sharma abused her on live TV is “not edited or fake.”

The social media platform has said that the video in question, which was also shared by Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, matches India TV's own raw footage as well as Rajat Sharma's own filings in his defamation suit, and is therefore “prima facie authentic.”

The defamation suit was filed after Congress leaders alleged that Rajat Sharma used abusive language on air during a show on the election result day.

On June 14, a coordinate bench ordered the Congress leaders as well as X to remove the social media posts within seven days in terms of the Intermediary Guidelines.

The submissions have been made by X Corp. in its application seeking vacation of the single judge's ex parte ad interim injunction order.

X Corp. has said that a finding that the video in the posts is “edited” requires appreciation of evidence and is a matter for trial. It has further submitted that the court cannot conclude that the video is “edited” or that it contains “insertions” merely on the basis of Sharma's “vague and unsubstantiated assertions.”

“Since the Injunction Application fails to establish that the content is “malicious” or “palpably false,” granting an injunction would also stifle public debate and allow the misuse of litigation to suppress public participation. Therefore, the Injunction Application should be denied,” X Corp. has said.

Furthermore, X Corp. has contended that the Injunction Order has granted final relief in the guise of an interim relief and that final relief cannot be granted by way of interim relief.

It has also said that Sharma's Injunction Application and Injunction Order were directed against identified third parties not arrayed to the defamation suit which is impermissible in law.

“The Injunction Order's rationale for directing removal is that the Video in the posts is “edited” and includes a fake “insertion.” This finding relies solely on Plaintiff's vague and unsupported assertion that the Video in the posts is “edited”. However, Plaintiff has nowhere explained in his pleadings what the alleged “edit” is or how the Video in the posts differs from the purported original version,” X has said.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora heard the matter today and issued notice in the application. A copy of the order is awaited.

Recently, Rajat Sharma also filed an application in the suit alleging that X and Congress leaders disobeyed the interim order. Notice was issued in the application last week.

Last month, the single judge had allowed Sharma's interim injunction application. “…it is directed that the X Posts/Tweets which have not been removed, be removed within seven days by defendants in terms of the Intermediary Guidelines,” the court had directed.

The controversy arose after Congress national spokesperson Ragini Nayak accused Sharma of abusing her on national television on the counting day of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Title: Rajat Sharma v. X Corp & Ors.