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The Court acknowledged the necessity for public figures to withstand criticism but identified the malicious intent behind the articles, deeming them damaging to Gambhir's reputation and unsuitable for a reputed newspaper like Punjab Kesari.
The Delhi High Court comprising of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma officially accepted the settlement reached between Gautam Gambhir and Punjab Kesari in a defamation case and disposed of the matter.
Gambhir had sought Rs. 2 crore in damages over allegedly defamatory articles. These articles, including titles like 'Sansad Gautam Gambhir Lapata Gali-Gali Me Lage Poster' and 'Dilli ke lapata Sansad Lucknow Super Giants ke liye bane Bhasmasur', were deemed harmful to Gambhir's reputation.
Despite the Court's previous rejection of an interim injunction in May 2023, Gambhir persisted, seeking an "unconditional apology" and the removal of the articles. Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai representing Gambhir argued that the language used in the articles was damaging and indicative of biased reporting targeting Gambhir.
In response, Advocate Dhruv Chawla appearing for Punjab Kesari, pointed out Gambhir's dual roles as an MP and public figure, suggesting they warranted public scrutiny. Nevertheless, the Court opined that such targeted campaigns were unacceptable given Punjab Kesari's reputation. The Court, therefore, referred the matter to mediation, indicating a potential resolution through dialogue.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the suit.
Case Title: Gautam Gambhir v Punjab Kesari & Ors. (CS(OS) 309/2023)
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