Delhi HC Deletes Kashmir Life, Daily Headlines Today From Arun Mehta Defamation Case After Apology [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has deleted two defendants from the array of parties in a defamation suit instituted by former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, after the plaintiff submitted that they had realized their mistake and published an apology with respect to the article in question, and that he was no longer interested in pursuing the case against them.

Justice Manoj Jain was hearing CS(OS) 859/2025, titled Arun Kumar Mehta v. Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar & Ors., along with three applications filed by defendant Nos. 1, 2 and 4 seeking condonation of delay in filing their respective written statements.

Counsel for the plaintiff submitted that though the written statements had been filed belatedly, they were within the outer permissible limit of 120 days, and he would have no objection if the applications were allowed, subject to heavy cost. Keeping in mind the overall facts and the concession given by the plaintiff's counsel, the court allowed the applications and directed that the written statements be taken on record, burdening the defendants with costs of Rs. 10,000 each, payable to the plaintiff within four weeks.

Turning to defendant Nos. 3 and 5, the plaintiff's counsel submitted that they had already published an apology and that, in view of the same, the plaintiff would have no objection if their names were deleted from the array of parties. The plaintiff, who was present in person, also stated the same, and it was submitted that the apology had been placed on record. Accordingly, as prayed by the plaintiff, the court deleted the names of defendant Nos. 3 and 5 and directed that an amended Memo of Parties be filed.

The plaintiff's counsel further submitted that if a similar kind of apology were given by the other defendants, the plaintiff would withdraw his case. Defendant No. 4 sought time to consider the same. The court listed the matter for further consideration on 15.12.2026. The order does not adjudicate upon the truth or falsity of the underlying allegations.

According to the plaintiff's side, defendant No. 3 is Kashmir Life and defendant No. 5 is Daily Headlines Today, while the suit continues against Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar (defendant No. 1), The Wire (defendant No. 2) and The Kashmiriyat (defendant No. 4).

Appearances:

For the Plaintiff: Mr. Vikas Mehta, Mr. Nar Hari Singh, Mr. Vasudev Sharan Swain, Mr. Bhauya Sanwal, Ms. Aditi Midha, Ms. Maanasee Hatkar and Ms. Bidisha Das, Advocates.

For Defendant No. 1: Mr. Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar, in person (through VC).

For Defendant No. 2: Ms. Nitya Ramakrishnan, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Ashwath Sitharaman and Mr. Ishit Patel, Advocates.

For Defendant No. 3: Ms. Rajeshwari Mukherjee, Mr. Meeran Maqbool and Ms. Sana Juneja, Advocates.

For Defendant No. 4: Mr. Apar Gupta, Ms. Pragya Jain and Mr. Rahul, Advocates.

For Defendant No. 5: Mr. Shakeel Sarwar Wani and Mr. Imbisaat Liyaaqat, Advocates.

Case Title: Arun Kumar Mehta vs. Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar & Ors., CS(OS) 859/2025

[Read Order]