Delhi High Court Refers Gautam Gambhir's Defamation Suit Against Punjab Kesari To Mediation

The Delhi High Court on Monday referred to mediation the defamation suit filed by former cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir against Hindi daily newspaper Punjab Kesari and its reporters.

Gambhir filed the suit seeking to restrain the newspaper and its reporters from making any allegedly defamatory publication against him.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma referred the case for mediation after Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai appearing for Gambhir submitted that the matter is likely to be amicably settled between the parties and be referred to mediation for recording the terms and conditions of the settlement.

“The counsel for the plaintiff submits that the matter is likely to be amicably settled and be referred to mediation for recording the terms and conditions of the settlement. The matter is referred to mediation,” the court said.

The matter was listed today as a fresh application was filed on behalf of Gambhir seeking withdrawal of the suit on account of the amicable settlement.

The matter is now listed on February 29 for mediation and before court on March 12.

In May last year, a coordinate bench had refused to pass any interim injunction order in Gambhir's favour but observed that many of the articles published against him were indicative of a “wilful campaign” launched by Punjab Kesari to lower his reputation in the eyes of his constituents, supporters and the public at large.

“Upon a bare reading of the impugned news articles, this Court is of the prima facie opinion that many of these articles are indicative of willful campaign launched by the defendants to lower the reputation of standing of the plaintiff in the eyes of his constituents, supporters and the public at large. In the opinion of this Court, this does not befit a newspaper of the repute and stature of the defendants to indulge in such a conduct,” the bench had said.

Summons were issued to Punjab Kesari, its editor in chief Aditya Chopra and three reporters. However, no take down order or interim relief was granted by the court.

Gambhir's suit sought an unconditional written apology from the newspaper for publishing certain “malicious and false publications” against him.

In the suit moved through Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, Gambhir also sought damages of Rs. 2 crores from Punjab Kesari.

The defamation suit was filed by Gambhir over certain articles published by the newspaper since 2022. The news reports include “Sansad Gautam Gambhir Lapata Gali-Gali Me Lage Poster”, “Dilli ke lapata Sansad Lucknow Super Giants ke liye bane Bhasmasur” and “Ye Naye Mijaz ke Sansad hai Jara Faaslo se Mila Karo.”

It was Gambhir's case that the newspaper and its reporters have been intentionally publishing false and defamatory articles with a view to damage his reputation. 

The suit submitted that despite a legal notice to the newspaper on November 23, 2022, asking it to cease and desist from making any defamatory publication against Gambhir, no response was received till date.

Title: GAUTAM GAMBHIR v. PUNJAB KESARI & ORS.