In a significant ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court of India set aside the Delhi High Court’s October 2025 order, which had directed Wikimedia Foundation Inc. to remove a page on Wikipedia detailing the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by news agency ANI against the online encyclopedia. The page included information about the High Court proceedings and comments made by the presiding judge.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices A S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized that it is not the responsibility of the judiciary to direct the media to delete content. The bench made it clear that the court should not interfere in media practices, as both the judiciary and the media are essential pillars of democracy. “For a liberal democracy to thrive, both should supplement each other,” the judges remarked. They further noted that public observation, debate, and criticism should be welcomed by courts, as the judiciary is an open institution. The court emphasized that even cases under judicial proceedings should be open for public discourse, which is vital for a democratic society.
The bench also addressed the issue of criticism against the judiciary. While welcoming constructive criticism, the court clarified that judges are not in a position to respond to such critiques. The court reiterated that if any publication crosses the line and scandalizes the judiciary or judges, it could result in contempt of court. However, the bench maintained that the court should not instruct the media to remove content or censor discussions on ongoing proceedings.
The case began when ANI filed a defamation lawsuit against Wikipedia over an article titled ‘Asian News International vs Wikimedia Foundation’, which detailed the legal proceedings. Last year, the Delhi High Court had ordered the removal of the page, claiming that the content violated the sub judice principle and interfered with the court’s functioning. The court had also raised concerns over the comments about the single judge’s order regarding the release of the identities of Wikipedia editors.
The Supreme Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the need for balance between judicial authority and media freedom. While the courts have the responsibility to protect their dignity, the media plays a crucial role in fostering open debates and discussions on matters of public interest.
