Delhi court issues summons to BBC, Wikimedia, Internet Archive over controversial series

In a latest update to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi documentary row over the Gujarat riots, a Delhi court on Wednesday issued summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Wikimedia Foundation, and the US-based digital library Internet Archive on a defamation suit filed by BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh.

According to the information, the suit was filed by Singh seeking to restrain them from publishing the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any other material related to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). While issuing the summons, the Additional District Judge of Rohini Court listed the matter for further hearing on May 11.

“Issue summons of the suit for settlement of issues to the defendant on the filing of PF and e-mode returnable on the next date of hearing. PF be filed today itself. The defendant is directed to file his written statement within 30 days from the date of service of the summons. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly,” the court said in its order.