Indian Congress Files Civil Defamation Suit Against Arnab Goswami in Delhi High Court

The Indian National Congress (INC) has initiated a civil defamation suit in the Delhi High Court targeting Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami and the channel over an allegedly defamatory broadcast.

The matter is scheduled for hearing tomorrow, March 17, 2026, before Justice Mini Pushkarna.

According to reports from legal news platforms, the suit relates to a May 2025 Republic TV segment that wrongly claimed the Congress party maintains an office in Turkey. The broadcast reportedly used footage of Istanbul’s unrelated Congress Centre (a convention facility), leading to accusations of reputational harm. The channel later issued a retraction.This development follows an earlier episode in February 2026, when Congress leader Pawan Khera withdrew a prior defamation action against Goswami after multiple hearings, which Republic Media Network described as a significant legal victory and “surrender” by the plaintiff.

The latest filing revives tensions between the opposition party and the pro-government-leaning news outlet in India’s often polarized media environment.

The Delhi High Court will now examine the claims, with replies from the defendants expected soon.