A Delhi court has summoned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and three others, including its India correspondent, over a defamation complaint filed by a private university in India. The complaint pertains to a documentary aired by the BBC in March 2021, which allegedly portrayed the university in a negative light. The university has accused the BBC and the others of defaming it, causing irreparable loss to its reputation, and demanded an apology and compensation of ₹1 billion ($13.5 million). The summons were issued by the court of the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, which has asked the defendants to appear before it on 24 June 2023. The BBC has yet to comment on the matter.
It is not clear what the specific allegations of defamation are in this case. However, it appears that the summons were issued in response to a complaint filed by Vibhor Anand, who is described as a lawyer and activist. Anand has accused the BBC, Netflix, and several individuals associated with the documentary of defaming him in relation to his alleged involvement in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
It is worth noting that Rajput’s death in June 2020 has been the subject of much speculation and controversy in India, and there have been numerous media reports and investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death. The documentary in question, “Death in Bollywood,” explores the case and the wider issue of nepotism and bullying in the Indian film industry.
It is unclear what the outcome of this case will be, as it is still in its early stages. However, it highlights the ongoing debate in India around media freedom and the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of individual rights.
