On May 9, 2025, the Supreme Court of India quashed a Delhi High Court order that had directed the Wikimedia Foundation to delete a Wikipedia page related to defamation proceedings initiated by Asian News International (ANI). The Supreme Court emphasized that it is not the judiciary’s role to instruct media platforms to remove content, highlighting the importance of maintaining openness to public and media scrutiny in judicial institutions .

The case originated from ANI’s lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, alleging that a Wikipedia article described ANI as a government “propaganda tool,” which ANI claimed was defamatory. The Delhi High Court had previously ordered the removal of the article, considering it prima facie contemptuous and an interference in court proceedings .

In its ruling, the Supreme Court referenced the Sahara India case concerning the postponement of judicial reporting, reinforcing the principle that courts should not suppress media reporting without valid reasons . The Court’s decision underscores the significance of press freedom and cautions against judicial overreach in matters of media content regulation.

This verdict is seen as a reaffirmation of the balance between protecting individual reputations and upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression in India.

Sources