Delhi High Court issues summons to Arnab Goswami in defamation suit by Congress party

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued summons to Republic TV Editor Arnab Goswami in a defamation suit filed by the Congress party over Goswami's claim that Congress party has an office in Turkey.

However, Justice Mini Pushkarna refused to pass any interim order after noting that the offending broadcast was aired in May 2025

"I will issue summons that's all. The broadcast is from May 2025," she said.

"The offending content is still there. There are articles supporting it," the counsel for Congress party said.

"I will give you a short date," the Court stated.

It then posted the case for further consideration in May.

"Issue summons to defendants by all modes. Issue notice in IA (for interim injunction). Reply (to be filed) in four weeks. Next date of hearing in May," the Court directed.

In May 2025, Goswami had claimed that Congress party operated an office in Turkey.

The claim was aired on Republic TV and circulated on social media, showing showing a building in Istanbul as the alleged office. The claim was made in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor when Turkey sided with Pakistan.

During the broadcast, Goswami said,

"If you’re a Congress party voter, if you’re among that vanishing group of people who are a Congress party voter, then I want to ask you something. What kind of business does your party have in Turkey?"

He went on to add that as of now, the Congress party is "with the enemies of the nation".

"They are non-committal on Turkey. What kind of a party is this? How much more will this party compromise our national interest?" Goswami added.

Congress denied the allegation and accused Goswami of spreading misinformation and defaming the party.

Fact-checks and reports later indicated that the building was actually the Istanbul Congress Centre, a convention venue run by the Istanbul municipality, not a political party office.

Republic TV later issued a clarification, calling the use of the image an editorial error.

⁠Advocates Muhammad Ali khan, Omar Hoda, ⁠⁠Eesha Bakshi,⁠ ⁠Ayesha khan and Surya Kiran appeared for the Indian National Congress.