SC Seeks Response from ‘The Wire’ And JNU in Defamation Case

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from online news portal The Wire and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in a case involving criminal defamation proceedings initiated by a JNU professor.

Professor Amita Singh challenged a Delhi High Court order that quashed the summons issued by a magistrate court in the defamation case against The Wire.

The news report by The Wire alleged that Professor Singh had led a group of JNU teachers in compiling a dossier that labeled JNU as a “den of organized sex racket” and “the den of secessionism and terrorism.” The High Court stayed the proceedings, noting that the publication did not make derogatory or denigrating remarks about Professor Singh or accuse her of wrongdoing.

The Supreme Court issued notice after impleading JNU in the appeal and expressed doubts about whether a defamation case was justified. The matter remains pending before the Court.

The appeal was filed by Professor Amita Singh through Advocate RP Singh.