Delhi Court Stays Police Complaint Against Political Commentator Over Alleged Derogatory Statements

New Delhi: The Saket court has stayed a magistrate's order to register an FIR against political commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra in a case of alleged derogatory statements made by women journalists. The court said that the remarks were made in the form of shayari. Additional Sessions Judge Purushottam Pathak, while hearing Mitra's revision petition, granted an interim stay on the April 22 magistrate order. In the order issued on June 9, the court said, "The alleged derogatory words are in the form of shayari, but it does not specifically name any person. Subtle interpretation of words and sentences is possible only after hearing both sides. Abhijit Iyer Mitra had filed a revision petition against the magistrate's order to register an FIR on the basis of a complaint against women journalists associated with the Newslaundry portal. The court, while deciding to hear the petition on merit, has stayed the process for the time being.