Dwarka Court, Delhi: In a case wherein, AAP MLA, Naresh Balyan, the plaintiff had filed an application to restrain Times Now Navbharat, the defendant from telecasting ‘Operation Paap’ news against the plaintiff, Ajay Kumar Malik, ASCJ cum JSCC cum Guardian Judge, directed the defendant not to broadcast, telecast or print the news, statement and opinion under the heading of ‘Operation Paap’ against the plaintiff.
The plaintiff was engaged in the social work and reforms since last two-three decades and was elected as a member of Delhi Legislative Assembly in 2015 and in 2020 and had achieved a great reputation in the vicinity due to his hard work and good conduct.
The plaintiff stated that on 17-08-2023, the plaintiff and his family were shocked to see the news broadcasted by the defendant on news channel under heading ‘Sarji ka Vidhayak Gangster ka Sahayak’. The same news was also available on Youtube channel of the defendant and was still broadcasted on the channel as well as other electronic social media contents.
The plaintiff stated that he had received threats from gangsters against which the plaintiff had lodged police complaint and the said false news had also caused great loss to the reputation of plaintiff and his family. Furthermore, broadcasting of any such news by electronic or print media would badly hamper the reputation of plaintiff and also, the faith and confidence of public at large living in the constituency of the plaintiff.
Thus, the Court directed Times Now Navbharat or Times Group Media Channel not to broadcast, telecast or print the news, statement and opinion under the heading of ‘Operation Paap’ against the plaintiff till the next date of hearing, i.e., 23-08-2023.
[Naresh Baliyan v. Times Now Navbharat, 2023 SCC OnLine Dis Crt (Del) 20, order dated 18-08-2023]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the Plaintiff: Balbir Singh Jakhar, N.C. Sharma, Neeraj Jakhar, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Jitender Sapra, Varnika Sharma, Jai Singh Yadav, Tanya Malik, Advocates;
For the Defendant: R.S. Brara, Advocate.
