PM Modi Documentary Row: DHC Summons BBC In Defamation Suit By NPO

The Delhi High Court summoned the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) on Monday in a defamation suit, alleging that its two-part documentary titled ‘India: The Modi Question’ slandered India, its judiciary, and the Prime Minister himself.

A single-judge Justice Sachin Datta issued the summons and scheduled the case for further consideration in September.

“It is contended that the said documentary makes defamatory imputation and caste slur on reputation of the Country and Judiciary and against the Prime Minister of India. Issue notice to the respondents through all permissible modes,” the single bench directed.

The defamation suit was filed by Justice on Trial, a non-profit organization based in Gujarat.

Appearing on behalf of the organization, Senior Advocate Harish Salve claimed that the documentary slandered India and the entire system, including the judiciary.

A district court in Delhi had previously summoned the BBC in connection with a defamation suit filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Binay Kumar Singh in relation to its documentary.

Singh had moved the Court claiming that, despite the fact that the documentary had been banned by the Indian government, a Wikipedia page dedicated to the series provides links to watch it and that the content is still available on Internet Archive.

As a result, Singh sought an injunction against the BBC, Wikimedia, and the Internet Archive to prevent them from publishing the documentary or any other material against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).

In its response to that plea, the BBC argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the defamation case.

That case is now scheduled for further hearing on 26^th May, 2023.

The Delhi High Court set aside a Delhi University (DU) order barring National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) national secretary Lokesh Chugh from the university in April for allegedly organizing the documentary screening.