The Delhi High Court has dismissed the criminal defamation case against journalist Arnab Goswami for calling a lawyer a “goon” during a 2016 debate linked to the Kanhaiya Kumar incident, citing protection of journalistic expression and press freedom.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday quashed a criminal defamation case filed against journalist Arnab Goswami over remarks made during a 2016 televised debate in which he referred to advocate Vikram Singh Chauhan as a “goon” and “hooligan.” The court also dismissed similar proceedings against Times Group executives Sameer Jain and Vinit Jain.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna of the Delhi High Court ruled that the remarks made by Goswami during a Times Now broadcast in February 2016 did not warrant criminal defamation proceedings. The court found that the statements were made in the context of a public discussion concerning a matter of significant national interest.
The case arose from a televised debate hosted by Goswami in the aftermath of an incident at the Patiala House Court, where Kanhaiya Kumar, then president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), was being produced in connection with an alleged case of “anti-national sloganeering.”
Background of the Case
During the live debate, Arnab Goswami allegedly referred to lawyer Vikram Singh Chauhan, who was accused of leading an assault on Kanhaiya Kumar and journalists outside the court premises, as a “goon” and “hooligan.”
Chauhan, claiming that the statements were “baseless and humiliating,” filed a criminal defamation complaint against Goswami, asserting that the remarks tarnished his professional reputation and were intended to damage his career.
He also named Times Group’s Sameer Jain and Vinit Jain, along with other officials, in the complaint.
High Court’s Observation
The Delhi High Court, while quashing the case, observed that the remarks made by Goswami were part of a journalistic discussion on a matter of public concern and did not constitute criminal defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna noted that
“freedom of expression and journalistic commentary on issues of national importance must not be curtailed unless malicious intent is clearly established.”
Appearance:
Arnab Goswami: Senior Advocate Malvika Trivedi with advocates Aman Avinav, Kumar Rishabh Parth and Shailendra Slaria
Samir Jain and Vinit Jain: Senior Advocate Pavan Narang with advocates Himanshu Sethi and Ashwarya Chhabra
