The Delhi High Court has reserved judgment on the interim relief plea in the defamation suit filed by Delhi’s Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar against the news portal ‘The Wire’. The suit concerns a report that cast aspersions on Kumar in relation to his alleged involvement in a land acquisition case for the Dwarka Expressway project. Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over the case, also issued summons in the suit after reserving the verdict on Kumar’s application for an ad-interim injunction.
The report in question, titled
“Links of Son of Delhi Chief Secretary to Beneficiary’s Family in Land Over-Valuation Case Raise Questions”,
was published on November 9 by reporter Meetu Jain. Kumar, in his suit, has sought the removal of the article and a direction to restrain the news portal and the reporter from publishing any further defamatory articles against him. The case alleges Kumar’s involvement in enhancing compensation for a parcel of land in Bamnoli village, acquired for the Dwarka Expressway project.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Kumar, argued that the article was “pre-planned” to “activate” people against him. In contrast, Advocate Sarin Naved, representing ‘The Wire’, maintained that the article’s intention was not to defame Kumar but merely to raise questions.
Justice Datta questioned the basis of the allegations in the article, emphasizing the need for truth in journalistic reporting. He said,
“As a member of the press, there is no law against sensationalism? You can indulge in exaggeration? There must be some semblance of truth.”
The suit stems from a legal notice sent by Kumar to ‘The Wire’ and the reporter on November 13, alleging that the article’s contents are misleading and defamatory. The notice stated,
“The contents of the said article are ex-facie misleading and per se defamatory, where you have, while irresponsibly portraying an obscure linkage of my Client’s son in an issue pertaining to enhanced valuation of a plot of land admeasuring around 19 acres in Bamnoli Village which was being acquired for the National Highways Authority of India for the Dwarka Expressway road project; raised questions on my Client’s unwavering and unqualified integrity and reputation.”
Delhi Vigilance Minister Atishi recently recommended the immediate removal of Kumar and another senior bureaucrat, Ashwani Kumar, submitting a preliminary report on the issue. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal forwarded the report to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, asking for Kumar’s suspension. However, the LG refused to accept the report, stating that it appears to be “completely based” on preconceived assumptions and presumptions.
This legal development highlights the ongoing tension between public officials and media outlets over the reporting of alleged misconduct and the broader implications for freedom of the press and accountability in governance.
