A public dispute between prominent educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, and senior television journalist Anjana Om Kashyap has reached the courtroom. Kashyap and TV Today Network have filed a ₹2 crore defamation suit before the Delhi High Court, alleging that a targeted online smear campaign has severely damaged their reputation and professional standing.
The lawsuit has been listed for a formal preliminary hearing before a vacation bench of the Delhi High Court.
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The NEET-UG Controversy Broadcast
The underlying dispute originated from a public debate broadcast on May 29, 2026, hosted by Kashyap on Aaj Tak regarding the commercialization of education and widespread mismanagement allegations surrounding the recent NEET-UG examination system. During the transmission, Kashyap voiced criticism against the growing influence of online “star teachers,” describing certain digital educators as frauds who focus on garnering views by commenting on structural policies beyond their administrative expertise.
The broadcast quickly triggered intense blowback from independent online education providers, who command massive digital audiences across the country.
The Online ‘Fake News’ Counter-Campaign
According to the civil petition filed through advocates Hrishikesh Baruah, Utkarsh Dwivedi, and Pragya Agarwal, several prominent educators launched a sustained retaliatory campaign targeting Kashyap and the network between May 30 and June 4. The lawsuit explicitly names Khan Sir alongside prominent online teachers Abhinay Sharma, Babita Tyagi, and Arvind Bhadauriya, as well as the 4PM News Network and multiple handles on X (formerly Twitter).
The petition contends that the defendants published videos and broadcasts describing Kashyap and Aaj Tak using highly offensive terms, including “bikau patrakar,” “chatukar,” and “fake news ki dukaan,” while falsely labeling the anchor as a government broker.
Privacy Intrusions and Child Safety Concerns
The defamation suit transcends routine professional criticism, elevating serious allegations regarding breaches of personal privacy. Kashyap asserted in her filing that Khan Sir publicly discussed and disclosed sensitive personal information, including the specific school attended by her child.
The petition argues that this unauthorized disclosure had zero relevance to the public controversy surrounding the NEET exam, intentionally exposing the journalist’s family to targeted digital harassment, public hostility, and major safety concerns. The plaintiffs have requested an immediate ad-interim injunction ordering the social platforms to scrub the offensive material to protect their family’s well-being.
Balancing Free Speech and Digital Accountability
The high-profile lawsuit highlights an increasing number of civil disputes arising from the blurred lines between mainstream journalism and independent digital creators. Court documents indicate that the vacation bench, presided over by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, will analyze the case to evaluate whether the remarks made by the online influencers constitute fair personal opinion or targeted character assassination.
With damages set at ₹2 crore, the upcoming judicial observations are expected to provide clear boundaries regarding online criticism, the privacy rights of public figures, and the legal liabilities of influential internet personalities.
