BBC Documentary Controversy: Delhi Court Adjourns Matter Till Dec 18

Delhi’s Rohini Court has postponed the hearing related to the BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ until December 18, 2024.

Additional District Judge Ruchika Singla granted a week for filing the process with the petitioner and scheduled the next hearing for December 18. The court issued a new summons to the BBC at its UK address in April after previous attempts failed.

On April 29, ADJ Singla noted, “Summons issued to defendant no. 1 have not been received back. The same will be issued afresh to the UK address in compliance with the order dated July 7, 2023, on the filing of the processing fee (PF) within 7 days from today.”

Earlier, in July 2023, summonses were issued following The Hague Convention. The Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive confirmed receipt of their summons. However, the BBC and Wikimedia Foundation argued that they had not been properly served, raising jurisdictional issues. Their counsels also argued that the court did not have the authority to hear the matter.

On May 3, the court issued summonses to the BBC, Wikimedia Foundation, and Internet Archive. Despite appearing in protest, the BBC’s counsel contended that service was improper and the court lacked jurisdiction. The BBC’s counsel also noted that they had not received the pleadings properly.

The petitioner, Binay Kumar Singh, seeks a court order to stop the publication of the BBC documentary and demands an unconditional apology from the defendants, including the RSS and VHP. He also requests Rs 10 lakhs in damages for alleged defamation.

The plea alleges that the BBC documentary falsely claims rising tensions between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Muslim minority, reports widespread hate crimes, and accuses Hindu nationalist groups of organizing violence against Muslims. The petitioner argues that the documentary spreads unfounded rumors and fosters religious animosity, leading the central government to block it under emergency powers in January 2023.

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