Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Gujarat NGO Withdraws ₹10,000 Crore Delhi BBC Defamation Suit
A Gujarat-based group sued the BBC over a documentary about Narendra Modi.
The group asked for Rs 10,000 crore in damages.
It said the documentary made false and harmful claims about Mr Modi, Indian courts and the country.
The documentary discussed the 2002 Gujarat riots.
It was shown in two parts in January 2023.
The group later asked to withdraw its case.
The Delhi High Court allowed the withdrawal on September 3.
The court also said the group could bring a new case about the same issue.
Justice On Trial, also identified in one report as Justice for All, withdrew its Delhi High Court suit against the BBC.
The NGO had sought Rs 10,000 crore over the documentary “India: The Modi Question.”
It alleged the documentary defamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian judiciary, Indian institutions and India’s reputation.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela allowed the suit and Indigent Person Application to be withdrawn on September 3, with permission to file a fresh case.
The two-part documentary, broadcast in January 2023, concerned the 2002 Gujarat riots and was later subject to government blocking directions.
- Who
- Justice On Trial, identified as Justice for All in one report, brought the case against the British Broadcasting Corporation and its Indian operations; the allegations concerned Narendra Modi and Indian institutions.
- What
- The NGO withdrew a Delhi High Court suit seeking Rs 10,000 crore in damages over “India: The Modi Question.”
- When
- The court allowed the withdrawal on September 3; reports were published on September 7.
- Where
- The proceedings took place in the Delhi High Court in New Delhi, and the documentary concerned the 2002 Gujarat riots.
- Why
- The NGO alleged that the documentary contained false and defamatory statements that harmed the reputations of Narendra Modi, Indian governments, the judiciary, the criminal justice system and the people of India.
- Petitioner
- Justice On Trial; one report calls the organization Justice for All
- Respondents
- British Broadcasting Corporation and BBC India
- Damages sought
- Rs 10,000 crore
- Documentary
- “India: The Modi Question”
- Broadcast
- Two episodes aired in January 2023
- Court order
- The suit and Indigent Person Application were dismissed as withdrawn
- Future action
- The NGO received permission to file a fresh suit over the same cause of action
- Government response
- The Ministry of External Affairs called the documentary a propaganda piece lacking objectivity and reflecting a colonial mindset
