The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on a plea filed by the Foundation of Independent Journalism, which operates the media platform ‘The Wire’, challenging the summoning order issued against them in a criminal defamation case. The case was initiated by former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Amita Singh. The court’s decision is pending as of May 7, 2025.

This legal battle stems from a 2016 publication by ‘The Wire’, which alleged that Professor Singh had prepared and submitted a report to the JNU administration, labeling the university as a “den of organised sex racket”. In 2017, Singh filed a criminal defamation complaint against ‘The Wire’, its editor Siddharth Varadrajan, and reporter Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprashasta. The trial court issued summons to the accused, prompting them to approach the Delhi High Court. In March 2023, the High Court quashed the summons, stating that the publication did not defame Singh and lacked sufficient material to support the defamation charges.

However, in July 2024, the Supreme Court set aside the Delhi High Court’s order, directing the magistrate to reconsider the issuance of summons after examining the actual publication. The Supreme Court observed that the High Court had exceeded its jurisdiction by deciding the merits of the case at that stage.

As of now, the Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on the plea challenging the summoning order. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the media’s freedom of expression and the legal standards for criminal defamation in India.

Sources