Dipsita Dhar moves Calcutta HC over 'distorted' speech videos, raises safety concerns

CPI(M) leader Dipsita Dhar has approached the Calcutta High Court alleging that edited and distorted versions of her speeches are being circulated on social media and expressing concerns about her personal safety. The matter was mentioned before the bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya on Monday through her lawyer, Abhishek Haldar. The court permitted the filing of a petition and directed that the matter proceed through the regular hearing process.

According to Dhar, a short segment extracted from a 45-minute speech has been widely circulated online after being selectively edited. She alleged that the circulated clips remove the broader context of her remarks and present a misleading impression of what was originally said. Dhar stated that only a small portion of her speech was being shared while the larger context was being concealed.

Through her legal representation, Dhar informed the court that the circulation of the edited videos could provoke hostility against her and potentially endanger her safety. Her lawyer argued that the manner in which the clips were being distributed could create circumstances that place her at personal risk. The court was told that concerns had arisen regarding the possible consequences of the alleged misrepresentation.

Dhar stated that she had already lodged a complaint with Nimta Police Station regarding the circulation of the videos. She alleged that no action had been taken despite the complaint. According to her petition, a complaint had also been filed on June 4 regarding provocative content allegedly targeting her and the circulation of material that she claims was intended to create hostility against her.

Apart from the video controversy, Dhar alleged that posters carrying her photograph and election campaign flex banners in her area had been torn down and set on fire. She claimed these incidents formed part of a broader pattern of targeting directed at her. Citing concerns over the alleged circulation of manipulated videos, the reported vandalism of campaign materials, and what she described as police inaction, Dhar sought judicial intervention from the Calcutta High Court.