New Delhi: Delhi High Court has issued summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on a defamation suit claiming its documentary cast slur on reputation of India, judiciary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It has also listed the matter for further hearing on September 15.
The defamation suit came up for hearing before Justice Sachin Datta who ordered notices to be issued to both the UK and India offices of the BBC. The defamation suit was filed by Gujarat-based NG Justice for Trial and the HC has directed the BBC to file its response on the suit.
The NGO said the BBC (India) remains as the local operation arm of the BBC (UK) which released the documentary. Senior advocate Harish Salve who was representing the NGO claimed that the documentary "India: The Modi Question" has allegedly "defamed" India and the judiciary and makes insinuation against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had booked BBC India for alleged irregularities related to foreign funding under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Critics linked the timing of this action to the controversial documentary. The government had criticised the broadcaster for tarnishing the country's image through the documentary.
Also read- ED registers case against BBC India for foreign funding violation
According the ED, the editorial and administrative departments of BBC were asked to appear before ED. The agency had asked for documents and was expected to record statements under the provisions of the FEMA. The Income Tax Department had earlier conducted a survey after which, which ED had ordered an inquiry into the matter and summons were also sent to the BBC.
Earlier in February, the officials of the Income Tax (IT) Department carried out 'surveys' at the offices of the BBC in Delhi. The IT raids came close on the heels of the controversy surrounding the telecast of the BBC documentary on the Gujarat 2002 riots that took place during PM Modi's stint as the chief minister of that state.
Also read- SC dismisses petition seeking ban on BBC in India, calls it 'misconceived'
The two-part documentary made by the BBC - was not broadcast in India. The Union government had blocked it and banned people from sharing clips on social media. The orders to this effect were issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Ministry drew its emergency powers under its information technology laws to pass such orders. Twitter and YouTube both complied with the request and removed many links to the documentary.
The Editors Guild of India and the Press Club of India Tuesday reacted with concern over the I-T Department's Income Tax surveys at the offices of BBC India. The Guild in a statement said it was "deeply concerned" about the surveys at the offices of BBC India and termed it as a continuation of a "trend" of using government agencies to "intimidate and harass" media outlets critical of the ruling establishment.
Also read- 'Instruments of harassment': Editors Guild, Press Club of India react to IT survey at BBC offices
The Editors Guild of India and the Press Club of India reacted with concern over the I-T Department's Income Tax surveys at the offices of BBC India. The Guild demanded that great care and sensitivity should be exercised during such investigations so as to not undermine the rights of journalists and media organisations.
