AROON PURIE Vs. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) These appeals challenge the common judgment and order dtd. 7/4/2021 passed by the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in Criminal M.C. Nos. 3492 of 2013, 4636 of 2013 and 1762 of 2014 filed by Mr. Aroon Purie; Mr. Parampreet Singh Randhawa & Ors.; and Mr. Saurabh Shukla, respectively.

(3.) A news item("the Article" for short.) titled 'Mission Misconduct' was published in the news magazine INDIA TODAY (for the period of 23/4/2007 to 30/4/2007) stating that in a string of embarrassments for the foreign office, three Indian Officials posted in the Indian High Commission at UK had to be recalled in quick succession following serious allegations of sexual misconduct, corruption in issuance of visas and sale of Indian passports to illegal immigrants. The Article also mentioned that the allegations were levelled against an officer of the Indian Foreign Service posted in UK for soliciting sexual favours from a local employee. The Article further stated that said officer, now back in India, was facing disciplinary action and when contacted said official denied the charges.