The Supreme Court has stayed criminal defamation proceedings against India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie in connection with a televised news debate aired in 2024, which discussed internal developments within Bihar’s Janata Dal (United).
A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan passed the interim order on May 19, staying further proceedings in Complaint Case No. 2540(C) of 2024 pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Patna. The bench was hearing a special leave petition filed by Purie, challenging a March 24 decision of the Patna High Court that had declined to quash the summons issued to him in the defamation case.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared on behalf of Purie, urging the court to intervene on grounds of press freedom and the nature of the content aired during the debate.
The defamation complaint arises from a 2024 debate hosted by India Today that focused on political realignments and speculated leadership changes within JD(U), involving prominent figures such as Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Lallan Singh. The complainant alleged that the program carried defamatory insinuations against certain political actors in Bihar.
The apex court’s stay brings temporary relief to Purie, as the matter now awaits further hearing before the Supreme Court.
