Delhi High Court criticised Richa Chadha and media for amplifying unverified sexual harassment allegations from an IndiGo flight, calling it “digital vigilantism” and warning against trial by social media and reputational harm without due process
Richa Chadha
The Delhi High Court has strongly criticised actor Richa Chadha and several media platforms for what it termed “digital vigilantism” in connection with a sexual harassment allegation on an IndiGo flight.
The case stems from a March 11 Delhi Mumbai flight incident, where a female journalist accused a co-passenger of inappropriate conduct. Soon after landing, she shared the allegations on social media, revealing the man’s identity, photograph, and workplace details. The post quickly went viral and was amplified by multiple media outlets and public figures, including Chadha.
Delhi HC slams Richa Chadha
The court took serious note of how the allegations were circulated without verification. Pulling up Chadha for reposting the claim with the remark “Make him famous,” the bench observed, “The endorsement and amplification of an unverified allegation… acts as a catalyst for public shaming and digital vigilantism.”
The court emphasised that public figures carry responsibility when sharing sensitive claims. It stated that such actions go beyond free speech and can damage an individual’s reputation without due process. “A public figure bears a legal and moral responsibility to verify the veracity of facts,” the court added.
Justice Vikas Mahajan also criticised media coverage of the incident, noting that several reports went beyond the contents of the FIR and effectively declared the accused guilty. The court remarked that such reporting “prematurely adjudicate[s] the matter,” crossing the line between journalism and trial by media.
In particularly strong observations, the court flagged posts that labelled the man a “molester” alongside his photograph, stating that such content could amount to defamation and expose him to “public ridicule and loss of reputation.”
All about the case
The accused man has denied all allegations, claiming he remained seated throughout the flight and was asleep before landing. He subsequently filed a defamation suit against the journalist, Chadha, and several digital platforms and media organisations.
The court also criticised the initial act of publicly disclosing the man’s identity before any formal investigation had begun, calling it a violation of his right to dignity and a fair trial. It directed the removal of defamatory content and noted that Chadha has since deleted her post.
The case has sparked a broader debate around responsible social media use, media ethics, and the risks of online outrage. The court’s remarks underline the growing concern over how quickly unverified allegations can escalate into widespread public condemnation in the digital age.
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