J&K HC quashes defamation case against Arnab Goswami, others: Details

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Wednesday, October 13, quashed a defamation complaint filed by Peoples Democratic Party leader Naeem Akhtar against Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami and journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, among others. Quashing the defamation proceedings pending before the court, the single-bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar observed that “reporting allegations about the official duties of a public figure cannot be considered defamatory.” The court was hearing a 2018 defamation complaint filed by the senior leader of Peoples Democratic Party, Naeem Akhter, against the Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV, Arnab Goswami, journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, Sakal Bhatt and others. pic.twitter.com/AHs3CzJD1c — Republic October 14, 2021 Uploading a copy of the order, journalist Aditya Raj Kaul also thanked the J&K High Court for upholding the freedom of expression and rights of journalists and quashing defamation complaints filed against him and his colleague and others in the 2018 case. Truth prevails!🙏 pic.twitter.com/7rjmbeVBHl — Aditya Raj Kaul October 13, 2021 The 2018 defamation case against Arnab Goswami and Aditya Raj Kaul The complaint against Goswami and Kaul, who was then an anchor for Republic TV, was filed in July 2018 under sections 499 and 500 of the Ranbir Penal Code before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar by Peoples Democratic Party leader Naeem Akhtar.