Background Matrix 

In the matter of Binay Kumar Singh v British Broadcasting issued summons to the BBC on a defamation suit filed by BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh in relation to its documentary titled “India: The Modi Question,” contending that the documentary’s release had created an atmosphere of terror and fear among members of different groups and had the potential to incite violence and jeopardise public order across the country once more. Additionally, the accusations made therein fuel hostility between various religious groups, particularly Muslims and Hindus. The BBC documentary, according to the lawsuit, has disparaged organisations including the RSS, VHP, and the BJP. It was filed through attorney Mukesh Sharma.

The contention from both Parties

The appellant argued that the accusations levelled against the RSS and VHP were made with the malicious goal of discrediting the organisations and the millions of members and volunteers who make up those organisations. The prestige and image of the RSS, VHP, and its millions of members and volunteers, who have vowed to safeguard the cultural, social, and national values of India, could be harmed by such erroneous accusations, which are not only without merit. Furthermore, the appellant supports the reasonable inference that the three defendants are cooperating and acting jointly to harm the reputations of both the nation and illustrious groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). In order to prevent the BBC, Wikimedia, and Internet Archive from posting the documentary or any other materials critical of the RSS and VHP, we prayed for an injunction against them.

Defendant submitted that they strategically and purposefully disseminated unfounded rumours without verifying the authenticity of the claims.

Analysis of Court Decision 

The Additional District Judge (ADJ) Ruchika Singla sits on the single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court Issue summonses for the lawsuit for dispute resolution to the defendant upon submission of PF and e-mode, with returns due on the following hearing date. PF must be submitted today. The defendant has 30 days from the date the summons was served to file his written statement. Be sure to include the Wikimedia Foundation, which supports Wikipedia, and the Internet Archive, a US-based digital library, as endorsers on the summons. Although the documentary has been outlawed by the Indian government, links to watch it can still be found on the Internet Archive and a Wikipedia page dedicated to the series.