Wikipedia Held in Contempt of Court for Failing to Disclose Subscriber Information in Alleged Defamation Case Involving ANI

“If you don’t like India, please don’t work in India… we will ask the government to block your site”, stated the Delhi High Court after issuing a contempt of court notice to Wikipedia. The Delhi High Court issued a contempt of court notice to the popular free online encyclopedia. The Court ordered Wikipedia to disclose information about people who made edits to ANI’s Wikipedia page. On failing to comply with these orders, the Court issued the notice.

ANI (Asian International News), the Indian news agency sued Wikipedia on grounds of defamation. According to ANI, Wikipedia allowed defamatory edits on their page, which referred to ANI as the “propaganda tool” for the present government.

"If you don't like India, please don't work in India… We will ask government to block Wikipedia in India."

Delhi High Court issues contempt of court notice to Wikipedia for not complying with the Court's order directing it to disclose info about people who made edits on ANI's… pic.twitter.com/fB3SFjN3pO

— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) September 5, 2024

Following this, Wikipedia was ordered by the Court to reveal subscriber details to ANI of three people who made edits on their page. ANI further went on to file a contempt application in the High Court alleging that Wikipedia had failed to comply with the order.   

The counsel of Wikipedia stated in this order that they are taking some time to follow up with the necessary submissions. They further stated that Wikipedia not being based in India was the reason for them not appearing in Court on time.

However, Justice Navin Chawla objected to these submissions and warned of imposing contempt as these arguments were stated by Wikipedia in earlier matters as well.

The Bench remarked, “I will impose contempt… It is not a question of Defendant No 1 [Wikipedia] not being an entity in India. We will close your business transactions here. We will ask the government to block Wikipedia… Earlier also you people have taken this argument. If you don’t like India please don’t work in India”.

The next hearing for the case is scheduled for October.