[BBC Documentary on PM Modi] Delhi High Court issues notice on plea seeking damages

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on a plea by an NGO seeking damages, claiming its documentary "India: The Modi Question" casts a slur on the reputation of India and makes false and defamatory imputations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian judiciary.

Besides BBC (UK), the bench of Justice Sachin Datta also issued notice to BBC (India) on the plea filed by Gujarat-based NGO 'Justice On Trial'.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve appearing for the plaintiff contended that BBC (UK) is the national broadcaster of the United Kingdom and has released the news documentary - "India: The Modi Question" which has two episodes and BBC (India) is its local operations office. It said the two episodes have been published in January 2023.

Salve also submitted that the said documentary/publication contains content that casts a slur on the reputation of the country and also makes false and defamatory imputations and insinuations against the Prime Minister of India, the Indian Judiciary, and the Indian criminal justice system.

While issuing notice, the single-judge bench listed the matter for further consideration on September 25.

“Issue notice to the respondents through all permissible modes, returnable on 25.09.2023”, the court ordered.

Case Title: Justice on Trial v. British Broadcasting Corporation (India) & Anr.