The Delhi High Court has put on hold criminal defamation proceedings against Sudarshan TV and its editor Suresh Chavhanke over broadcasts alleging that a madrasa was involved in “anti-national” activities.
The case was brought by Mohammed Tufail Khan, who heads the Jamia Arabia Nizami Welfare Educational Society, an organisation that runs a madrasa providing food, shelter and clothing to around 70 orphans. Khan also named Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi and Sudarshan TV director Maya Chavhanke in his complaint.
Khan alleged that broadcasts aired in August and September 2022 falsely accused his organisation of anti-national activities, receiving illegal funds and indoctrinating children.
He further alleged that residents and journalists entered his home in September 2022, called him a “Bangladeshi” and circulated his phone number, following which he received death threats.
According to Khan, Sudarshan TV aired programmes containing defamatory allegations against his organisation and later broadcast another programme featuring similar accusations.
In an order dated Aug. 21, the High Court noted submissions by Chavhanke’s lawyer that he was only the anchor of the programme and had no criminal intent.
The court stayed the proceedings before the trial court until the next hearing.
A city court had earlier found, at a preliminary stage, that allegations made by Sudarshan TV in its broadcasts and social media posts appeared to be defamatory. The case had also led to bailable warrants being issued against Chavhanke and the broadcaster after they failed to appear. The warrants were later cancelled after their appearance before the court.
The High Court’s order does not amount to a final decision on the allegations in the defamation case.
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