X Agrees To Provide Information Of Users Who Posted BJP Leader Shazia Ilmi's Video Withdrawing From India Today Debate

X Corp, formerly Twitter, on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that it will provide basic subscriber information (BSI) of its users who uploaded the video of BJP leader Shazia Ilmi in which she is seen withdrawing herself from a live debate of India Today and moving out of the shooting frame.

This was after the Court had ruled that the said portion of the video violated Ilmi's right to privacy.

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora recorded the statement made by Senior Advocate Rajshekhar Rao appearing for X.

Rao also informed Court that X has complied with the direction of taking down posts of its users who uploaded the video in question.

For context, on April 09, Justice Arora had directed X to take down the posts in question and also to provide basic subscriber information to Ilmi of account holders who uploaded the video.

A fresh application was filed today by X seeking modification of the direction to provide basic subscriber information of the account holders, citing issues regarding privacy of the users.

At the outset, the Court expressed its surprise over drafting of the application wherein it was stated that the order in question was passed without giving an opportunity to X.

The Court also remarked that it was surprising that the users were using the Court's judgment and video together, adding that it was a “mockery of the judgment.”

Rao then informed Court that X will provide the basic subscriber information within 36 hours. He also withdrew the drafting in the pleading that no opportunity was given to X on April 09.

The Court clarified that X's contention regarding privacy of its users cannot be deliberated in the present proceedings but can be determined in any other appropriate proceedings.

The matter will now be heard on August 29.

The development ensued in Ilmi's defamation suit against journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. He had posted a video on 'X' alleging that she abused a video journalist of India Today during the debate.

On April 04, Justice Arora gave part relief to Ilmi and held that recording and publishing the 18 seconds part of the video, wherein Ilmi is seen withdrawing herself from the live debate and moving out of the shooting frame, violated her right to privacy. The Court had said that Sardesai could not have recorded or used the said portion of the video in absence of Ilmi's express consent.

Justice Arora had also earlier order passed in August last year, directing Sardesai to remove the video, till the disposal of the defamation suit.

In the injunction order, while the Court granted part relief to Ilmi, it had imposed Rs. 25,000 costs on her for willfully suppressing two tweets made by her, forming part of the same conversation thread of which Sardesai's tweet was part of.

The controversy arose after Ilmi took part in a debate on India Today news channel last year on Agniveer scheme row. However, she left the debate midway claiming that her mic was cut-off with an intent to censor her.

Sardesai posted the video and made a tweet stating that to chuck the mike and allegedly abusing the video journalist by Ilmi and throwing him out of her house was just not done. He also said that the video journalist was only doing his job.

Title: SHAZIA ILMI v. RAJDEEP SARDESAI & ORS.