The Supreme Court Today (April 1st) intervened to stay criminal defamation proceedings against India Today group chief Aroon Purie and journalists Rajdeep Sardesai and Shiv Aroor. The case stemmed from a 2016 sting operation by the media outlet on an alleged cash-for-votes scandal. The trio sought relief from the SC after the Karnataka HC declined to dismiss the defamation lawsuit brought against them by former MLA BR Patil.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court stepped in Today to stay the criminal defamation proceedings against Aroon Purie, the head of the India Today group, and journalists Rajdeep Sardesai and Shiv Aroor. These proceedings were initiated following a sting operation aired by India Today in 2016, alleging a cash-for-votes scam.
The investigative report by India Today suggested that certain lawmakers in Karnataka were offered bribes in exchange for votes ahead of the 2016 Rajya Sabha elections. Subsequently, former state legislator BR Patil filed a criminal defamation case against Purie, Sardesai, and Aroor, among others, who were involved in the production and broadcast of the report.
In December 2023, the Karnataka High Court declined to quash the defamation proceedings, leading to an appeal before the Supreme Court.
During the hearing Today, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, sought the response of the Karnataka government while temporarily suspending the criminal defamation proceedings.
Representing Purie, Sardesai, and Aroor before the Supreme Court, Senior Advocate Dr. S Muralidhar argued for the case.
The High Court’s decision, delivered by Justice R Nataraj on December 18, 2023, was contested before the Supreme Court. Justice Nataraj’s judgment noted allegations of the accused using “doctored graphics” and making derogatory remarks against BR Patil.
The High Court determined that there were prima facie grounds to investigate whether the accused had fabricated electronic records to damage Patil’s reputation, an offense punishable under Section 469 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
“Question whether the petitioners (accused) had any intention to harm the reputation of the respondent No.2 (Patil) or not, and whether the petitioners had any justification for publishing the article against the respondent No.2 or not are all matters that have to be ascertained during the course of investigation. Therefore the petitioners cannot contend at this stage, that no offence is made out against them,”
–the High Court said.
Despite declining to dismiss the case, the High Court emphasized that Purie’s personal presence should not be insisted upon unless his direct involvement in the sting operation and report broadcast was established.
CASE TITLE:
Aroon Purie and ors vs State of Karnataka and anr.
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