Delhi High Court directs Zee News to publish comments by Ajay Kumar Gupta in defamation suit

After a defamation suit was moved in relation to a broadcast referring to the Gupta family, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed Zee News and the host of Daily News Analysis (DNA), Sudhir Chaudhary (defendants) to publish comments by Ajay Kumar Gupta (plaintiff) and his brothers on their platforms within five days .Justice Jayant Nath also directed Zee News to not publish anything on their platform in relation to the Gupta family without seeking comments from the plaintiffs..It was submitted that on July 14, 2021, the defendants broadcasted an episode about the plaintiff and his brothers titled “DNA: What is the connection of South Africa riots to India Gupta family?”.Further, the defendant- DNA India/Diligent Medial Corp. Ltd. also published an article on July 16, 2021 titled, “DNA Explainer: What led to unrest in South Africa and role of Gupta brothers.”.The plaintiffs stated that the episode was false, baseless, and highly defamatory and that the defendants had attempted to create a false impression that the Plaintiff and his family members are responsible for the ongoing riots, alleged attacks and looting of the people in the Republic of South Africa, without any basis, veracity or evidence..On being aggrieved by the publications and broadcasts by the defendants, the plaintiffs issued a legal notice on July 19 asking the defendants to take the defamatory content down and run an apology..However, on receiving an unsatisfactory reply from the defendants, a suit for a mandatory injunction, damages and costs was instituted on July 30 through Karanjawala & Co..The plaintiffs made the following prayers:a) decree of mandatory injunction directing the Defendants, their affiliates etc. to immediately takedown/delete the broadcast/publication;b) takedown/delete any further broadcast/publication containing same/similar false allegations;c) restraining from further broadcasting/ publishing;d) run/publish unconditional apology on their platform and social media accounts, and e) decree for damages of Rs. 2,50,00,000/-..Senior Advocate Arvind Nayar, appearing for the defendants, submitted that the news was last published on July 16 and would not be published again..However, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing the plaintiffs, insisted that the existing material on social media be retracted. However, the defendants responded that it was not possible to do so.