New Delhi – The Delhi High Court has ordered Wikipedia’s operator, the Wikimedia Foundation, to remove statements deemed defamatory from the Wikipedia page of news agency ANI, marking the latest legal challenge for the online encyclopedia in India.
Wikimedia is the second major tech platform, after X, formerly known as Twitter, to face court battles over content takedown orders in India. ANI filed a defamation lawsuit against Wikimedia last year, arguing that Wikipedia’s description of the agency as a government “propaganda tool” tarnished its reputation.
In its ruling on Thursday, the court stated, “The impugned statements are… defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of ANI,” and directed their removal.
Wikimedia did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling or whether it would appeal. Reuters, which holds a 26% stake in ANI, also declined to comment. The global news agency has previously stated that it is not involved in ANI’s business practices or operations.
ANI Seeks Damages
The court will continue to hear ANI’s case, in which the agency is seeking ₹2 crore ($240,000) in damages and an apology from Wikimedia. “The ruling affirms the fundamental right to reputation,” ANI’s lawyer, Sidhant Kumar, told Reuters in a statement. The dispute has raised concerns over free speech in India. Wikimedia has previously challenged content removal orders, arguing that such actions create a “chilling effect” on free expression.
In October, the court ordered the takedown of a Wikipedia page related to the dispute, calling it “interference in court proceedings.” Wikimedia subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court in January, contending that “the selective and permanent takedown… restricts access to knowledge.” The case comes amid wider debates on online speech in India. Social media platform X is also contesting government directives to block certain posts related to the 2021 Indian farmers’ protests.
