BBC Documentary On PM Modi: Delhi Court Issues Fresh Summons To BBC, Others On BJP Leader’s Defamation Suit

A Delhi Court on Friday issued fresh summons to British Broadcasting Corporation, Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive in a defamation suit filed BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh seeking to restrain them from publishing the recent documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any other material related to RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Additional District Judge Ruchika Singla of Rohini Courts observed that the defendants are foreign entities and therefore, the service of summons must be effected as per guidelines issued by Delhi High Court.

The court had earlier issued summons in May. However, an objection was taken that since the defendants are foreign entities based in USA and UK, the service could be effected only as per the procedure prescribed.

While issuing fresh summons, the court said that mere filing of vakalatnama by the lawyers shall not do away with the mandatory requirement of the service of summons on the defendant entities under the prescribed procedure.

“Hence, by virtue of the same, it is clear that as per the rules formulated under the Hague Convention and by the Government of India, the summons/ notices in foreign countries can be effected only through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, which has admittedly not been done in the present case,” the court said.

It added: “It is directed that the summons be issued afresh to the defendants on filing of PF within 7 days to be served through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, Govt. Of India, as per rules.”

The suit states that the allegations made in the documentary against the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are motivated by malicious intent to defame the organizations and its members or volunteers.

Singh, who claims himself to be an active volunteer of RSS and VHP, has said the two-volume documentary series is still readily available in public domain on Wikimedia and Internet Archive.

Singh has also sought an order of unconditional apology by the defendants to him and as well as to RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad for the alleged “libellous and defamatory content” published in the two volume documentary series.

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