PM Modi Documentary: Gujarat Based NGO Withdraws Defamation Suit Against BBC From Delhi High Court

A Gujarat-based NGO has withdrawn from the Delhi High Court its defamation suit filed against British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 2023 over a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela allowed the withdrawal on September 03 after the NGO's counsel said that he has instructions to withdraw the suit, with liberty to file fresh suit for the same cause of action.

“Accordingly, the I.P.A. 1/2023 alongwith the suit is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty so sought, granted,” the Court said.

In May, 2023, the Court had issued notice to BBC on the indigent person application filed by the NGO.

In July 2024, an issue of maintainability was raised regarding the NGO filing the suit.

The NGO, Justice on Trial had filed the case as an indigent person. Notice was earlier issued on its application seeking to sue as an indigent person. However, summons in the main suit were remained to be issued.

The documentary, India: the Modi Question, was released in January 2023.

Title: Justice on Trial v. BBC