Shashi Tharoor, Arnab Goswami to depose in defamation suit related to Republic TV's reportage of Sunanda Pushkar’s death

Shashi Tharoor and Arnab Goswami will be stepping into the witness box on 10 May to depose in the defamation suit filed by the Congress leader against the journalist and his channel Republic TV

FP Staff March 13, 2018 18:42:13 IST
Shashi Tharoor, Arnab Goswami to depose in defamation suit related to Republic TV's reportage of Sunanda Pushkar’s death

Shashi Tharoor and Arnab Goswami will be stepping into the witness box on 10 May to depose in the defamation suit filed by the Congress leader against the journalist and his channel Republic TV.

Shashi Tharoor Arnab Goswami to depose in defamation suit related to Republic TVs reportage of Sunanda Pushkars death

File image of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and journalist Arnab Goswami. AFP and YouTube screengrab

Tharoor had filed a civil defamation suit against Goswami and his channel seeking damages and compensation of Rs 2 crore for allegedly making defamatory remarks towards him while airing news relating to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. In his suit, Tharoor claimed the coverage was sensational and aimed at creating a non-existing controversy by maligning his public life and image.

The Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram was referring to news reports broadcasted on Republic TV by Goswami between 8 and 11 May, 2017, saying the reports pertaining to the death of Pushkar were defamatory.

The court has fixed the matter for 10 May for cross-examination of Tharoor by Goswami's counsel and sent it to the joint registrar to decide whether any defamatory statements were made or telecast by TV channel.

Tharoor, through three different applications, had also sought a direction from the high court to restrain the TV channel from broadcasting any show related to his wife's death till the probe was completed by the Delhi Police.

The judge had, however, refused to restrain Goswami and Republic TV from airing news or debates relating to the death of Tharoor's wife. It had, however, said the coverage has to be "tempered and balanced".

The judge had, however, held that Tharoor had a "right to silence" under the Constitution and that "no person can be compelled to give testimony or answer questions which may incriminate him".

Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a five-star hotel in south Delhi on the night of 17 January, 2014.

With inputs from agencies

Updated Date:

also read

In true Nehruvian spirit, Congress has tried to sap Sengol’s significance, but Jairam Ramesh will have to eat his words
India

In true Nehruvian spirit, Congress has tried to sap Sengol’s significance, but Jairam Ramesh will have to eat his words

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has tried to undercut the history of the scared Sengol as 'BOGUS'

'Saying Sengol's history is bogus, questioning our credibility is sad, unfortunate': Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam
India

'Saying Sengol's history is bogus, questioning our credibility is sad, unfortunate': Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam

Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam said they would reveal the true history of the Sengol and Nehru from the time of India's Independence and Transfer of Power at a presser Friday evening

'Why does Congress hate Indian culture so much?' asks Amit Shah, says party reduced Sengol to 'walking stick'
India

'Why does Congress hate Indian culture so much?' asks Amit Shah, says party reduced Sengol to 'walking stick'

Amid the war of words between the ruling and opposition parties over the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Shah said the Congress needs to 'reflect' on its behaviour