Supreme Court stays trial against TV Today in criminal defamation case by BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed trial proceedings against TV Today Network Ltd, which owns Aaj Tak,  in a criminal defamation case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ramesh Bidhuri and his nephew Rajpal Poswal over a 2011 news report [TV Today Network Ltd v. Rajpal Poswal].

A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan passed the order while hearing a plea by TV Today Network and its officials challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision upholding the rejection of their discharge applications.

“Learned senior counsel for the petitioners submitted that the next date before the trial court is October 16, 2026. In these circumstances, there shall be a stay of further proceedings in CC No. 624318 of 2026 until further orders. List in December,” the order stated.

The dispute arose from a 2011 broadcast by Aaj Tak concerning a gang rape and abduction case involving one Sunny. The report described the accused as Poswal’s brother-in-law. At the time, Bidhuri was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Tughlakabad constituency.

After the report linked the accused to them, Bidhuri and Poswal filed separate criminal complaints. Bidhuri alleged that the report had falsely connected him with the accused and harmed his reputation by suggesting that political influence was being used to protect the accused.

The trial court rejected the discharge applications filed by TV Today and the other petitioners in December 2018. They subsequently approached the Delhi High Court, which dismissed their petitions in November 2025.

The High Court held that a magistrate could not discharge an accused in a summons case instituted on a complaint once cognisance had been taken and summons issued. It added that the defence could not be evaluated through a mini-trial at that stage.

TV Today subsequently approached the Supreme Court. On March 9, the Supreme Court had issued notice on TV Today’s plea seeking discharge and its request for an interim stay of the trial proceedings.

During the hearing today, counsel for TV Today recounted their unsuccessful attempts to secure discharge before the trial court and the High Court.

“I approached the trial court seeking discharge, but it said it could not grant it. I then approached the High Court, which held that my petition was not maintainable,” he submitted.

Justice Nagarathna then asked about the stage of the criminal trial.

“It is listed on October 16 for framing of charges. Your Lordships may consider granting relief,” counsel responded.

The Court allowed counsel for the respondent time to file a reply and stayed further trial proceedings.

The matter will be heard next in December.

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