Lawfare, Defamation – Journalist

The Delhi High Court today sought the response of the Delhi government and a former BJP councillor on a plea by a TV journalist challenging the proceedings against him in a criminal defamation case for allegedly airing libellous news. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva issued a notice to the complainant, who had filed the defamation case against Rajdeep Sardesai, who was then heading the IBN18 Network, and listed the matter for hearing on September 19.

The court also granted journalist exemption from personal appearance before a Dwarka trial court for a hearing in June. Advocates Saif Mahmood and Mrinal Bharti, who appeared for Sardesai, sought quashing of the January 8 order of a sessions court which had set aside a previous decision of a magistrate discharging him in the defamation case. The counsel sought the high court’s direction to reaffirm the magistrate’s December 2013 order by which the journalist was discharged in the case on the ground that no offence was made out against him.