The Delhi High Court has recently intervened in a criminal defamation case involving Sudarshan TV and its Chairman, Suresh Chavhanke. In the case titled Suresh Khanderao Chavhanke v State of NCT of Delhi & Ors, Justice Madhu Jain granted a stay on the proceedings, which will remain effective until the next hearing scheduled for October 28.
The petitioner, Suresh Chavhanke, through his legal counsel, argued that his role was limited to that of a TV show anchor and that he harbored no criminal intent. Justice Jain ordered, “Till the next date of hearing, there shall be a stay on the Trial Court proceedings.”
The defamation suit was initiated by Mohd Tufail Khan, who operates the Jamia Arabia Nizami Welfare Educational Society, a non-profit organization and madrasa that supports approximately 70 orphans. The suit also named Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi, Sudarshan TV, Maya Chavhanke, and other individuals as respondents. Khan alleged that Qasmi made unfounded assertions that his organization engaged in anti-national activities, received illegal funding, and indoctrinated children, using platforms such as social media posts and TV interviews in August and September 2022.
Further allegations include an incident in September 2022 when individuals, accompanied by media representatives, allegedly entered Khan’s residence, labeled him a “Bangladeshi,” and distributed his phone number, leading to threats against his life. Khan also accused Sudarshan TV of airing defamatory content in April 2023 and producing another program containing slanderous claims against him.
On October 19, Judge Kartik Tapariya of the Saket Court identified prima facie evidence of defamation in the related accusations and media content, summoning seven accused individuals to court. After Chavhanke and Sudarshan TV did not appear as required, bailable warrants were issued on April 6. These warrants were later nullified on May 30 when they complied with the court’s attendance requirements.
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Khan had previously petitioned the Delhi High Court for the removal of defamatory content from digital platforms. During a hearing in April 2023, it was reported that the controversial videos had been taken down from YouTube. Consequently, Khan withdrew his initial petition and proceeded with the current defamation complaint.
Representing Suresh Chavhanke were Advocates Makarand D Adkar, Amita Sachdeva, and Amandeep Singh Gahlot, while Additional Public Prosecutor Manoj Pant represented the State.
