Another defamation suit over Modi documentary, HC issues summons to BBC

The Delhi High Court has reportedly summoned the BBC over a defamation suit filed by a Gujarat-based NGO over the controversial documentary on PM Narendra Modi. This comes weeks after another court issued summons to the British broadcaster over a defamation suit by a BJP leader.

The high court will hear the matter on September 15.

NGO Justice for Trial has claimed that the two-part documentary maligned the image of India, its judiciary and PM Modi, according to PTI. The high court has reportedly issued summons to the BBC’s India and UK offices, seeking the network’s response.

This comes weeks after a Delhi court issued summons to the BBC while hearing a defamation case by a BJP leader on May 3 over India: The Modi Question. Binay Kumar Singh, a leader from the BJP’s Jharkhand unit with links to the RSS and VHP, has alleged that the BBC has defamed the organisations he is part of.

Additional District Judge Ruchika Singla had also issued summons to Wikimedia Foundation and the US-based Internet Archive, Bar and Bench reported.

It came months after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition by Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta seeking a ban on the BBC in India and a probe into its “anti-India and anti-Indian government” content.

The Supreme Court had in February issued a notice to the Narendra Modi government over petitions challenging the move to block the controversial BBC documentary. It had sought original records pertaining to the government decision.