The Rajasthan High Court, in Kamlesh Mandoliya v. Vikas Divyakirti, stayed defamation proceedings against Dr. Vikas Divyakirti over alleged derogatory remarks about the judiciary in a viral lecture video. The Ajmer court had summoned him under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal defamation, rejecting his free speech defense. However, Justice Sameer Jain observed that the comments were made in an academic context and fell within Article 19(1)(a) protections. The High Court halted the trial court’s actions pending further hearing, highlighting the balance between free expression and protecting judicial reputation in the digital era.
