In a massive turn, the Delhi High Court refused to issue an interim injunction order in favor of Mr. Gautam Gambhir in his suit of defamation filed against Punjab Kesari. Later clarifying such a move hon’ble court stated that various articles published against the former cricketer and current MP of BJP from East Delhi Lok Sabha Constituency are a result of a “wilful campaign” initiated by the newspaper and its reporters so that they can portray a negative reputation of the MP in the eyes of the supporters, Constituency, and mass public.
Justice Chandra Dhari Singh in his recent order stated that “Upon a bare reading of the impugned news articles, this court is the prima facie opinion that many of these articles are indicative of wilful campaign launched by the defendants to lower the reputation of standing of the plaintiff in the eyes of his constituents, supporters and the public at large. In the opinion of this court, this does not befit a newspaper of the repute and stature of the defendants to indulge in such conduct”.
Summons were issued to the Punjab Kesari Editorial Board, consisting of Editor in chief Aditya Chopra and three other reporters. Their response was taken on the Gambir’s plaint to issue interim relief. But, to date, no such relief has been issued by the Hon’ble court[1]. Further, the next hearing of the matter by the hon’ble court is scheduled for October 18th.
The Gambir’s application seeks an unconditional written apology from the newspaper for publishing some “malicious and false Publications” against him. The same file is also seeking ad-interim relief in the Hon’ble High Court. The case also involves monetary compensation of Rs. 2 crores, the case is being represented by Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai who is representing Gautam Gambhir.
The case is dealing with the certain defamatory article published by the newspaper since last year. [2]
Gautam Gambhir has filed a case claiming that a newspaper and its reporters have intentionally published false and defamatory articles in an attempt to harm his reputation. The lawsuit states that despite sending a legal notice to the newspaper on November 23 of the previous year, demanding that they stop publishing defamatory content about Gambhir, no response has been received to date[3].
The lawsuit requests a mandatory injunction and is accompanied by an application for a temporary injunction. In the interim, Gambhir is seeking a court order to immediately withdraw the allegedly defamatory publications targeting him and to prevent any further similar publications until the lawsuit is resolved.
Written by- Anirudh Atul Garg, student at ILSR, GLA University, Mathura, 2nd Semester, an intern under Legal Vidhiya
[1] LIVE LAW, https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/delhi-high-court-punjab-kesari-newspaper-articles-gautam-gambhir-reputation-defamation-228918 (last visited 18th May 2023).
[2] Ibid
[3] THE INDIAN EXPRESS, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-hc-gautam-gambhir-defamation-suit-punjab-kesari-8614336/ (last visited 18th May 2023).
