Case against BBC for Modi documentary: Delhi High Court slams NGO for adjournments; gives one last chance

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure with the Gujarat-based non-profit Justice on Trial for seeking repeated adjournments in its ₹10,000 crore defamation case against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi [Justice on Trial v. British Broadcasting Corporation & Anr].

Justice Amit Bansal noted that the case was filed in 2023 and that the Court had raised questions about the case's maintainability. However, since then, the plaintiff has sought repeated adjournments.

The Court said that it will grant the plaintiff a last and final opportunity to address arguments on how the case is maintainable.

"We notice that repeated adjournments are being taken for the last several dates. Last opportunity is given to address the maintainability," the Court said in its order.

Counsel appearing for the non-profit said that adjournments were sought because they are in the process of engaging a senior.

The Court finally said that it will hear the matter in April.

In its suit, Justice on Trial has argued that the BBC's two-part documentary titled India: The Modi Question cast a slur on the reputation of India, its judiciary as well as the Prime Minister.

At present, the Court is dealing with the NGO's indigent person application (IPA). Order XXXIII of the Code of Civil Procedure deals with the filing of suits by indigent persons. It says that a suit can be instituted by an indigent person if he does not have sufficient means to pay the fee prescribed by law for the plaint in such a suit.

Justice on Trial has sought damages of ₹10,000 crore from the BBC.

The High Court had issued notices on the IPA on May 22, 2023.