Greeva Garg –
Published on August 03, 2021, at 1:44 PM
The Delhi High Court declined to pass an Interim relief in favour of Ajay Kumar Gupta’s plea against Zee News and Diligent Media Corporation, seeking a mandatory injunction for allegedly broadcasting defamatory episodes about him and his family.
The High Court in furtherance directed the Zee Media, Sudhir Chaudhary and DNA India to collect the comments of businessman Ajay Kumar Gupta and publish them on their media portals within 5 days.
A single-judge bench headed by Justice Jayant Nath ordered, “Let plaintiff give comments to the defendants on publication presently available on the social media. The defendants may publish precise comments on the platform within 5 days of receipt of the comment of the plaintiff.”
The plaintiff filed a defamation lawsuit after being aggrieved by the episode hosted on July 14, 2021, by Zee News titled ‘DNA: What is the connection of South Africa riots to India Gupta Family’? and an article published on July 16, 2021, by DNA India, titled – ‘DNA Explainer: What led to unrest in South Africa and role of Gupta brothers.
“The Defendants tried to create a false impression that the Plaintiff and his family members were responsible for the riots, alleged attacks and looting of the people in the Republic of South Africa, without any basis, veracity or evidence,” the plaintiff contended in his application.
Ajay Gupta sought for taking down all broadcasts and publications that are infringing his and his family’s dignity and prayed the High Court to restrain the media house to indulge in any defaming activities in the future.
In opposition to the plaintiff’s suit Senior Advocate Arvind Nayar, appearing for the defendants submitted that, interim relief is not maintainable as it lacks the ground of territorial jurisdiction of the Hon’ble High Court.
The final decision, hence, was made by the Delhi High Court after hearing the submissions of the plaintiff and defendants.
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