Punjab Kesari’s Articles Against Gautam Gambhir Prima Facie Indicative Of Wilful Campaign To Lower His Reputation: Delhi High Court

Refusing to pass an interim injunction order in favour of Gautam Gambhir in the defamation suit filed by him against Punjab Kesari, the Delhi High Court today however said that many of the articles published against former cricketer and BJP MP are indicative of a “wilful campaign” launched by the newspaper and its reporters 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,” Justice Chandra Dhari Singh said in the order.

The court issued summons to Punjab Kesari, its editor in chief Aditya Chopra and three reporters and also sought their response on Gambhir’s application seeking interim relief. However, no take down order or interim relief was granted by the court today.

The matter will be heard by court on October 18.

The application seeking ad-interim relief was filed by Gambhir in his suit which seeks 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 has also sought damages of Rs. 2 crores from Punjab Kesari.

The defamation suit has been filed by Gambhir over certain articles published by the newspaper since last year. 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 is 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 submits that despite a legal notice to the newspaper on November 23 last year asking it to cease and desist from making any defamatory publication against Gambhir, no response was received till date.

The suit seeking mandatory injunction is also accompanied with an application for temporary injunction.

In the interim, Gambhir had sought direction upon the newspaper to immediately withdraw the allegedly defamatory publications made against him and also to restrain it from making any similar publication, till the pendency of the suit.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Refuses Interim Relief To Gautam Gambhir In Defamation Suit Against Punjab Kesari, Says Don't Be So Sensitive

Title: GAUTAM GAMBHIR v. PUNJAB KESARI & ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 410

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