Defamation Suit: Delhi High Court Issues Summons To Users Who 'Edited' ANI's Wikipedia Page

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued summons to three individuals who allegedly edited the Wikipedia page of news agency Asian News International (ANI).

Justice Subramonium Prasad was dealing with the defamation suit filed by ANI against Wikimedia Foundation, which hosts Wikipedia platform.

Earlier this week, a division bench had disposed of Wikipedia's appeal against the single judge's order, directing it to disclose subscriber details of three individuals, following a consent order between it and ANI.

As per the consent order, it was agreed that ANI shall promptly ensure that fresh summons are issued to the three users in the defamation suit pending before the single judge.

Taking note of the division bench's order, Justice Prasad today ordered:

“Accordingly, let summons be issued to Respondents 2-4. Summons can be served through all permissible modes… Registry is directed to comply with the mandate of the order passed by the division bench. List the application under Order 39 Rule 1 & 2 for hearing on December 17.”

The dispute arose after ANI filed defamation suit against Wikipedia over allegedly defamatory description of the news agency.

On August 20, Wikipedia was directed by the Court to disclose to ANI the subscriber details of the three individuals available with it within two weeks. ANI had then filed the contempt plea against Wikipedia alleging non compliance of the order in question.

ANI had sought to restrain Wikipedia from publishing allegedly defamatory content on the news agency's page on its platform. It has also sought removal of the content. ANI has further sought Rs. 2 crores as damages from Wikipedia.

Wikipedia's page says ANI "has been criticized for having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government, distributing materials from a vast network of fake news websites, and misreporting events.”

In its suit against Wikimedia Foundation and its officials, ANI has said that the former has allegedly published palpably false and defamatory content with malicious intent of tarnishing the news agency's reputation and to discredit its goodwill.

Case Title: Wikimedia Foundation v. ANI & Ors.