Published on :
Delhi: Former cricketer and BJP Member of Parliament (MP) Gautam Gambhir has filed a defamation case before the Delhi High Court against Hindi newspaper Punjab Kesari seeking damages of ₹2 crores.
Gambhir has sued the paper, its editor Aditya Chopra as well as correspondents Amit Kumar and Imran Khan stating that they misused their journalistic freedom by publishing numerous malicious and libelous articles systematically targeting him.
In his suit, filed through advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, Gambhir cited a bunch of reports to claim that paper gave a misleading spin to its stories. One of the reports even went on to compare him with the mythical demon Bhasmasur, it was contended.
Some of the reports mentioned in the suit are:
Sansad Gautam Gambhir Lapata Gali-Gali Me Lage Poster (MP Gautam Gambhir goes missing, posters come up in streets);
Dilli ke lapata Sansad Lucknow Super Giants ke liye bane Bhasmasur (Delhi’s missing MP becomes Bhasmasur for Lucknow Super Giants);
Adesh Gupta bolte reh gaye, Gautam Gambhir uth chale (Adesh Gupta kept talking, Gautam Gambhir left);
Ye Naye Mijaz ke Sansad hai Jara Faaslo se Mila Karo (This is the MP of a new frame of mind, please keep distance while meeting him).
Gambhir argued that these reports create a false and deeply defamatory narrative regarding his work and bona fides as a parliamentarian in the minds of readers.
The reports paint him as a casteist person and a high-nosed politician, it was pointed out.
“It is the respectful case of the Plaintiff that the pattern of these defamatory publications is indicative of a willful campaign launched by the Defendants to lower the reputation and standing of the Plaintiff in the eyes of his constituents, supporters, and the public at large The Defendants undertook no effort to confirm or corroborate the veracity of their publication – which further points out their collective malaise against the Plaintiff,” the suit stated.
Gambhir has sought damages of ₹2 crores to be given to charitable organisations. He also prayed that the defendants should tender an unconditional apology and the same should be published in all newspapers (including digital versions) circulated by Punjab Kesari.
He also submitted that directions should be issued to the paper to retract each and every defamatory publication made against him.
The suit is listed for hearing tomorrow before Justice Chandra Dhari Singh.
