Ashneer Grover Apologises For ‘Defamatory’ Posts Against BharatPe, Delhi High Court Imposes ₹2 Lakhs Costs For Violating Orders

Former Managing Director of BharatPe, Ashneer Grover, yesterday tendered an apology before the Delhi High Court for posting allegedly defamatory posts against the fintech company on social media and also gave an undertaking not to post similar posts in the future.

Justice Rekha Palli bound Grover to the undertaking filed by him by way of an affidavit, subject to payment of costs of Rs.2 lakhs payable by to the Delhi High Court Bar Clerk's Association.

The court said that it was appalled to note the “persistent violation” of judicial orders by Grover.

“However, taking into account that the defendant no.2 is now filing an affidavit specifically undertaking not to post any such defamatory posts against the plaintiff in the future and is also apologising for his past posts against the plaintiff, this Court is inclined to close the matter at this stage by binding the defendant no.2 to undertaking filed by him,” the court said.

Justice Palli was dealing with an application moved by BharatPe, in its defamation suit against Grover and various others, seeking to restrain the former MD from making any defamatory statements against it on any platform.

It was BharatPe’s case that despite the specific order passed by the court on May 16 directing the counsel for the parties to advise their clients to avoid recourse to unparliamentary and defamatory publications against each other, Grover had proceeded to publish defamatory tweets against the fintech company.

It was submitted by BharatPe that on May 26, Grover had undertaken to voluntarily remove all the offending posts, with an assurance that he will, in future, abide by May 16th order.

On the other hand, Grover’s counsel told court that his client has not only categorically apologised, in the affidavit, for posting the impugned posts against BharatPe on social media but has also specifically undertaken not to post any such defamatory contents in the future.

While imposing Rs. 2 lakhs costs on Grover, Justice Palli directed him to pay the amount within one week. The court also directed the Association to utilize the amount for the welfare of families of those clerks who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The defendants in the suit are Grover, his wife, his brother-in-law and father-in-law. BharatPe in the suit has accused Grover of running a "vicious campaign" against the company. 

BharatPe in the suit has sought damages of over Rs. 88 crores from the defendants. Among other reliefs, the suit seeks to restrain the defendants from making defamatory statements against the company.

Title: RESILIENT INNOVATIONS PRIVATE LIMITED v. MADHURI JAIN GROVER & ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 1186

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