Gautam Gambhir vs Hindi daily case: HC declines to pass interim order, tells ex-cricketer & MP to be "thick-skinned"

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to pass an interim order "at this stage" on ex-cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir petition that wanted a Hindi daily to withdraw certain defamatory material.

In the plea, Gambhir sought that the court issue directions to the media house to withdraw "false and slanderous" statements made against him. He also wanted that the court restrain the publication from making similar allegations during the pendency of the suit.

Gambhir, in his suit, sought the defendants to tender him unconditional apology — "which shall be published in all newspapers brought out and circulated by the media house".


Gambhir has also sought Rs 2 crore in damages from the media house.

"Upon a bare reading of the impugned news articles, this court is of the prima facie opinion that many of these articles are indicative of willful campaign launched by the defendants to lower the reputation of standing of the plaintiff in the eyes of his constituents, supporters and the public at large," a PTI report quoted the HC as commenting.

The defamation case was filed by Gambhir over some materials published by the newspaper since last year. According to Live Law website, the reports include “Sansad Gautam Gambhir Lapata Gali-Gali Me Lage Poster”, “Dilli ke lapata Sansad Lucknow Super Giants ke liye bane Bhasmasur” and “Ye Naye Mijaz ke Sansad hai Jara Faaslo se Mila Karo.”

Such publications do not behove a newspaper of repute, the court observed. It said prima facie it was satisfied that the matter requires consideration and summons must be issued to the five defendants — including three reporters.

"Issue summons," Justice Chandra Dhari Singh's 8-page order said.

The court said that while it was of the (prima facie) opinion that many of these materials are "indicative of willful campaign" against Gambhir, it also told the cricketer-turned-politician that being a public servant he should be thick-skinned.

"You are a public servant, you need not to be so sensitive. Any public person should be thick skinned. Otherwise social media etc... Nowadays judges should also be thick skinned," the judge said.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 18.

Gambhir's lawyer alleged that the articles were deeply malicious and vindictive in nature. It seemed the media house was on some sort of mission, the lawyer added.


From reports by PTI and Live Law