The operator of Wikipedia has been ordered by the Delhi High Court to remove statements deemed defamatory from the page of news agency ANI that it hosts, the latest such directive to the popular online encyclopedia.
The Wikimedia Foundation is the second major tech platform, following X, formerly Twitter, to become embroiled in recent years in court battles over content takedown orders in India.
Last year, ANI sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Delhi High Court, citing a Wikipedia description that it faced criticism for being a government “propaganda tool” and sought removal of such statements.
In an order on Thursday (April 3, 2025), the court said, “The impugned statements are… defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of” ANI, and should be removed.
ANI vs Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia’s presence in India
The foundation did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling and whether it will appeal.
Reuters, which owns a 26% stake in ANI, did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said it is not involved in ANI’s business practices or operations.
ANI seeks damages
The court will continue to hear the case, in which ANI seeks damages of about ₹2 crore ($240,000) and an apology from Wikimedia.
The ruling “affirms the fundamental right to reputation”, a lawyer for ANI, Sidhant Kumar, told Reuters in a statement.
As a result of the dispute, U.S.-based Wikimedia has raised questions about free speech in the world’s largest democracy.
In October, the court ordered the takedown of a Wikipedia page related to the dispute, calling it “interference in court proceedings”, prompting Wikimedia to go to the Supreme Court in January.
Wikimedia said in its Supreme Court filing that “the selective and permanent takedown… creates a chilling effect on free speech, and restricts access to knowledge”.
X is also challenging government orders to block some posts about Indian farmers’ protests in 2021.
Published – April 04, 2025 01:13 pm IST