Delhi Court Adjourns Case on BBC Documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ to December 2024
New Delhi, August 27, 2024 – Delhi’s Rohini Court has postponed the hearing on the BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ until December 18, 2024. Additional District Judge Ruchika Singla granted a week for the petitioner to file the necessary process and listed the matter for December 18, 2024.
The court had previously issued a fresh summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at its UK address in April, as earlier summons had not been served. The case involves a ban on the documentary, which discusses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged rising tensions between India’s Hindu and Muslim communities.
The petitioner, Binay Kumar Singh, has requested the court to stop the publication of the documentary, claiming it contains defamatory content against him, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Singh is also seeking an apology and damages of Rs.10 lakhs from the defendants.
The BBC and other defendants, including the Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive, have argued that they were not properly served as per The Hague Convention and questioned the court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
The court noted that the Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive have received the summons, but the BBC’s counsel argued that the service was not properly effected. The case will continue to be heard in December 2024.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi Court -: A court in Delhi, the capital city of India, where legal cases are heard and decided.
Adjourns -: To postpone or delay a court case to a later date.
BBC Documentary -: A film made by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that provides factual information about a specific topic.
India: The Modi Question -: The title of the BBC documentary that talks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some issues in India.
Rohini Court -: A specific court located in the Rohini area of Delhi.
Hearing -: A session in court where the judge listens to the arguments and evidence from both sides.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: The current Prime Minister of India, who is the head of the government.
Hindu and Muslim communities -: Two major religious groups in India, where Hindus follow Hinduism and Muslims follow Islam.
Petitioner -: The person who brings a case to court, in this case, Binay Kumar Singh.
Defamatory content -: Information that can harm someone’s reputation or character.
RSS -: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu nationalist organization in India.
VHP -: Vishva Hindu Parishad, another Hindu organization in India.
Defendants -: The people or organizations being accused or sued in a court case, in this case, the BBC and others.
Jurisdiction -: The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
