Bombay High Court Adjourns Defamation Suit To 2046, After Senior Citizen Parties Refuse To Settle 'Ego Fight'

The Bombay High Court recently adjourned a long-pending defamation suit to the year 2046, observing that the dispute reflects an “ego fight” between the parties that unnecessarily burdens the judicial system.

Justice Jitendra Jain, while passing the order on April 28, 2026, noted that the matter could have been resolved earlier if the defendant had tendered an unconditional apology. However, the plaintiff, who is close to 90 years of age, continues to insist on pursuing the litigation.

“This is one of the matters where the ego fight between the parties at their fag end of their life clogs the system, which prevents the Court from taking up the matters which really requires more priority,” the Court observed.

The Court recorded that on an earlier occasion it had indicated that the dispute could be settled through an unconditional apology. Despite this, the plaintiff persisted with the defamation claim. Expressing disapproval of the continued litigation, Justice Jain stated that he did not wish to add anything further except that the matter should not be taken up for the next 20 years.

Accordingly, the Court directed that the suit be listed only after 2046 and expressly clarified that the case would not be given priority even on the ground that the parties are senior or super senior citizens.