Delhi High Court: In the 12 months 2001, a sting by a information portal Tehelka.com created a stir in the entire nation. In Tehelka’s sting, Main Basic of the military was proven demanding bribe in change for protection offers. The particular person from whom the military officer had demanded bribe was an undercover journalist who had met by posing as a protection contractor. Concerning the sting, the military officer had filed a defamation case in opposition to the founder of stories portal Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal and different journalists related to it. In this matter, after 22 years, now the choice of the High Court has come, through which the military officer has received.
The Delhi High Court on Saturday (July 22) ordered Main Basic MS Ahluwalia to pay Rs 2 crore as compensation for defamation of his fame in a defamation case associated to the sting operation. The Delhi High Court mentioned in its order, Tehelka.com, its proprietor firm M/s Buffalo Communications, its proprietor Tarun Tej and reporters Anirudh Behl and Mathew Samuel can pay this quantity to Main Basic MS Ahluwalia.
Apology does not imply after 23 years- Court
Justice Nina Bansal Krishna, presiding over the bench listening to the case, mentioned that it is a clear instance of significant injury to the fame of an trustworthy navy officer. He mentioned, the apology issued after 23 years of publication has no which means.
Nonetheless, the court docket mentioned the plaintiff within the case didn’t show any act of defamation on the a part of Zee Telefilm Ltd. and its officers, who telecast it after getting into into an settlement with Tehelka.
What was the matter?
On March 13, 2001, Tehelka printed a sting operation on alleged corruption in protection offers titled ‘Operation West Finish’. Main Basic MS Ahluwalia was additionally proven in part of it. In the sting, Ahluwalia was seen demanding Rs 10 lakh and costly liquor in return for the protection deal. It was additionally claimed within the sting that Ahluwalia had additionally taken Rs 50,000 as advance.
Main Basic MS Ahluwalia claimed {that a} full pretend story was ready on this matter by modifying the video of the dialog with the reporter.
Cash will be returned, not misplaced fame
Whereas giving the decision, the court docket quoted the well-known assertion of Abraham Lincoln and mentioned, Fact is the most effective treatment in opposition to slander. But, reality doesn’t have the capability to revive the status that an individual loses within the eyes of a society that’s at all times fast to evaluate.
The court docket additional mentioned, there’s a dangerous reality that misplaced cash can at all times be earned again. A stain on one’s fame, as soon as imprinted on one’s soul, provides nothing however injury, even when lakhs of compensation are paid for it.
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Rajneesh Singh is a journalist at Asian News, specializing in entertainment, culture, international affairs, and financial technology. With a keen eye for the latest trends and developments, he delivers fresh, insightful perspectives to his audience. Rajneesh’s passion for storytelling and thorough reporting has established him as a trusted voice in the industry.
