Delhi HC Issues Summons To Arnab Goswami, Republic TV In Congress' Defamation Suit Over 'Turkey Office' Claim; No Interim Relief For Now

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issues summons in a defamation suit filed by the Indian National Congress (INC) against Arnab Goswami and Republic TV over a broadcast claiming that the party has an international office in Turkey.

Justice Mini Pushkarna however did not grant any interim relief in the matter and only issued notice on the temporary injunction plea.

"I will ask if the content is stayed. The problem is, the content continues to damage me. Even if it is admitted it is false, people are still talking about it," Advocate Muhammad Ali Khan appearing for the Party urged.

The Court however proceeded to issue summons, stating, "Let plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to defendants by all modes. Written statement within 30 days. Issue notice in application for interim injunction. Reply within four weeks."

The matter will now be heard on May 19.

The broadcast was aired in May last year. Later, an FIR was registered against Goswami and BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya. They were accused of spreading a false claim that Turkey's Istanbul Congress Centre was the office of Congress party. 

Later, Republic TV issued an apology for “erroneously depicting a building as the Congress office in Turkey”.

Republic TV said that a video editor had inadvertently used an incorrect image erroneously depicting the building as the Congress office in Turkey, citing a technical error.

“An incorrect image was inadvertently used erroneously depicting a building as the Congress office in Turkey by a video editor on the Digital desk due to a technical error. The image had no connection to the content or context of the said video. This clip was not broadcast on Arnab Goswami's Debate show on 15th May 2025 or thereafter and was not taken on-air nor was the said erroneous image in any way related to the subject matter being discussed. The inadvertent error occurred after the live show ended and was carried on the digital platform. The moment it was brought to our attention, it was promptly rectified. We sincerely and unconditionally regret the error,” the public apology said.

On May 22, 2025, the Karnataka High Court had passed an interim order stayed further investigation in the FIR which was registered on the basis of complaint filed by Shrikant Swaroop B N, head of the legal cell of the Indian Youth Congress.

The complaint alleged Malaviya and Goswami of orchestrating a "criminally motivated campaign" to spread false claims that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkey is the international office of the Indian National Congress (INC). The misinformation was "deliberately designed to mislead the Indian public, defame a major political party, stir nationalist sentiments, and incite unrest."

Counsel for INC: Advocates Muhammad Ali Khan, Omar Hoda, Eesha Bakshi, Kamran Khan, Ayesha Khan, Surya Kiran, Mohd Shahrukh and Aviral Jain

Title: INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC) v. ARNAB GOSWAMI AND ORS