Will Remove Photo, Name Of BJP Spokesperson Nalin Kohli From 'Sting Operation' Video: Dainik Bhaskar To Delhi High Court In Defamation Suit

D.B. Corp Limited, which publishes the Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that it will remove the name references of Senior Advocate and BJP Spokesperson Nalin Kohli from a “sting operation” video conducted by it recently.

The submission was made before Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora who was hearing Kohli's defamation suit against Dainik Bhaskar, its journalists, X Corp (formerly Twitter), and several individuals.

The suit alleged that Dainik Bhaskar published a video and an article related to an alleged sting operation conducted by its reporters containing “false and unsubstantiated claim" linking Kohli to the creation and distribution of fake news targeting political figures.

During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi appeared for Kohli. The counsel representing Dainik Bhaskar and its two journalists also appeared before the Court.

Both the counsels told Court that they arrived at an out of court agreement with respect to taking down or removal of the allegedly defamatory content.

Lekhi told Court that Dainik Bhaskar has agreed to publish a corrigendum in English and Hindi languages regarding the impugned news article on their website as well as X handle.

The counsel for Dainik Bhaskar and its reporters said that the newspaper undertakes to remove Kohli's photo which appears in the video in question and that reference to his name in the said video will be beeped out.

It was also stated that Kohli's name in the article, authored by the two reporters, will be deleted.

Lekhi submitted that since the news article as well as the video remained in public domain for 7 days, Dainik Bhaskar may also take steps to ensure that the corrigendum is put on display for an equivalent period on its website with it being shown in priority section.

On this, Dainik Bhaskar's counsel said, on instructions, that the corrigendum will be posted on website's top news section and will remain there for 7 days.

The Court disposed of the suit qua Dainik Bhaskar and its two journalists in terms of their statement, while making them bound by the same.

Dainik Bhaskar's counsel further submitted that another defendant, who left the employment on April 15, had already removed the impugned post and video from his X handle.

The Court further injuncted the said defendant from reposting the impugned post or video again in any manner and disposed of the suit qua him.

The suit sought Rs. 2 crores as damages from the defendants and removal of the allegedly defamatory content and to prevent its further publication. In the interim, Kohli has sought take down of the content.

Kohli was aggrieved by a post made by Dainik Bhaskar containing a video in relation to the sting operation along with a link to a full report available on its website.

As per Kohli, the publication not only falsely attribute and insinuate his alleged involvement in the fabrication and distribution of fake images and false social media campaigns but also “irresponsibly juxtapose” his image alongside the “defamatory narrative.”

The suit referred to one Vijay Sharma who has alleged that he had “dealings" with Kohli in creating and distributing fake media campaigns against prominent political figures of the Indian National Congress Party, including Rahul Gandhi, late Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.

The suit stated that “defamatory statements” were made by Sharma to the Dainik Bhaskar Team and the broadcast of the same was done without any verification on the Dainik Bhaskar website as well as on X.

Title: NALIN SATYAKAM KOHLI v. D.B. CORP LIMITED & ORS 

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 450