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Gujarat NGO Withdraws Defamation Suit Against BBC Over PM Modi Documentary
Confirmed
In Short: A Gujarat-based NGO has withdrawn its defamation suit against the for its 2023 documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following a court order.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela allowed the withdrawal of the suit on September 3, after the NGO's counsel informed the court that they had instructions to withdraw the case and sought permission to institute a fresh suit.
The NGO, Justice for All, had alleged that the documentary cast a slur on India, its judiciary, and Prime Minister Modi.
The two-part documentary examined the 2002 Gujarat riots and Modi's tenure as Gujarat chief minister, triggering political controversy in India.
Since the suit involved a high monetary value, the NGO sought permission to pursue the case as an 'indigent person' under Order XXXIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The NGO had claimed that the documentary made false and defamatory insinuations against Modi, the Indian judiciary, and the criminal justice system.
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- “Accordingly, the I.P.A. 1/2023 alongwith the suit is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty so sought, granted,” court said.
- However, summons in the main defamation suit had not been issued.
- The documentary had triggered a political controversy in India, with the Centre subsequently blocking access to the documentary on social media platforms.
- In July 2024, questions were raised regarding the NGO’s ability to maintain the suit in the manner in which it had been instituted.
- Justice For All, a Gujarat-based registered society, had filed a “suit for damages”, “seeking permission to file as an indigent person”.
- If an “indigent person” succeeds in the suit, court fees shall be recoverable by the State Government from any party ordered by the decree to pay the same.
- However, if an indigent person fails in the suit or the permission granted to him to sue as an indigent person is withdrawn, or the suit is withdrawn or dismissed, the indigent person will be required to pay the court fees.
- Earlier, the suits filed by indigent persons were also referred to as “pauper suits”, and they can be filed only by those who are unable to pay on account of poverty.