The controversy surrounding the BBC documentary India: The Modi Question continues to unfold as a Delhi court adjourned the hearing on the matter until December 18, 2024. The case, which revolves around the contentious documentary and its alleged defamatory content, has attracted significant attention, particularly due to its portrayal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
On Tuesday, Additional District Judge (ADJ) Ruchika Singla granted the petitioner, Binay Kumar Singh, an additional week to file the necessary process. The court had previously issued a fresh summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at its UK address in April, as the earlier summons had not been served.
The case pertains to a plea seeking to ban the documentary, which has been accused of spreading misinformation and inciting communal tensions.
The controversy erupted earlier this year when the Indian government invoked emergency powers to block the documentary in January 2023, citing its potential to foster animosity between different faith communities.
The petitioner has argued that the documentary falsely claims rising tensions between India’s Prime Minister and the Muslim minority, along with accusations of organised violence against Muslims by extremist Hindu nationalist groups. These claims, according to the petitioner, are not only baseless but also harmful to the communal harmony in the country.
The legal battle has also raised questions about jurisdiction and the proper serving of legal documents. The BBC, along with other defendants like the Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive, have argued that they are foreign entities and that the service of summons should be conducted under the Hague Convention. The BBC's legal team further contended that the plaintiff had used different emails for serving the summons, which they claim is improper.
In May, the court issued summons to the BBC, Wikimedia Foundation, and Internet Archive based on the plea filed by Binay Kumar Singh. However, the defendants appeared in court under protest, maintaining that they had not been properly served and that the Delhi court lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
The BBC’s counsel has particularly emphasised that they have not received the necessary legal documents, which has complicated the case.
The petitioner has not only sought a ban on the documentary but has also demanded an unconditional apology from the defendants to himself, the RSS, and the VHP.
Furthermore, he has requested damages amounting to Rs. 10 lakhs for the alleged defamation caused by the documentary. According to the plea, the documentary includes several accusations that could potentially incite violence and disrupt peace between Hindu and Muslim communities in India.
Follow us
