The Delhi High Court has sharply criticized the Gujarat-based NGO Justice on Trial for repeatedly delaying its ₹10,000-crore defamation lawsuit against the BBC, granting the organisation one “last opportunity” to present its case. The suit challenges the broadcaster over its 2023 documentary “India: The Modi Question,” which the NGO alleges damaged the reputation of India, its judiciary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The case, which has been pending since 2023, has seen little substantive progress. At nearly every hearing over the last two years, the petitioner has sought adjournments, citing incomplete documentation or the unavailability of senior counsel. The pattern has now provoked strong disapproval from the court.
During the latest hearing, Justice Amit Bansal told the petitioner that the High Court could no longer accommodate indefinite postponements. The judge underlined that the delays were preventing even the preliminary questions — including whether the suit is maintainable — from being addressed. Observing that procedural requirements had remained unresolved for months, the court stated that the conduct of the NGO had “consistently stalled” the proceedings.
A significant pending issue is the NGO’s application to be recognised as an indigent litigant under Order XXXIII of the Code of Civil Procedure. If accepted, the status would waive the substantial court fees ordinarily required for filing a high-value civil suit. The court must evaluate the legitimacy of this claim before deciding whether the lawsuit can move forward. Despite the importance of this threshold question, the petitioner has repeatedly failed to provide complete details or appear prepared to argue the matter.
The bench made it clear that the next hearing, scheduled for April, will be decisive. The NGO has been instructed to complete all formalities and be ready to argue both its indigency application and the issue of maintainability. Justice Bansal warned that if the petitioner again arrives unprepared or seeks another adjournment, the court will consider dismissing the matter without further indulgence.
The defamation suit stems from BBC’s two-part documentary examining the 2002 Gujarat riots and the political trajectory of Prime Minister Modi. The programme triggered widespread political controversy in India, with the government calling it biased and colonial in tone. The NGO’s lawsuit seeks damages for what it claims was an intentional attempt to undermine democratic institutions and India’s global standing.
However, with procedural roadblocks overshadowing the substantive allegations, the case has reached a critical juncture. Unless the petitioner presents a coherent and complete argument at the next hearing, the High Court appears ready to close the door on one of the most high-profile defamation claims filed in recent years.
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