Delhi HC Summons Arnab Goswami in Congress Defamation Case

PTI, March 17, 2026, New Delhi : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued summons to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami in a defamation suit filed by the Congress, which alleged that he had falsely claimed that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye is an office of the political party.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, while issuing the summons, declined to grant an interim injunction against the content at this stage, noting that the broadcast was aired in May 2025.

The Congress’s counsel argued that the allegedly false claim, made against the backdrop of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, “continues to damage” the party’s reputation.

“I am asking for an injunction… I will also ask that the content be stayed… Offending content continues to do damage. People are still talking about it. They have admitted it is false,” the counsel submitted.

The court directed Goswami to file a response to the plea for interim relief within four weeks and listed the matter for hearing on May 19. “Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons,” Justice Pushkarna ordered.

Earlier, in May 2025, the Indian Youth Congress’ legal cell head, Shrikant Swaroop BN, had filed a complaint with the Bengaluru police against BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya and Goswami, accusing them of “maliciously propagating the fabricated claim” regarding the Istanbul Congress Centre. The complaint noted that the broadcast occurred amid sensitive India-Turkey relations, fueled by Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan.

The Karnataka High Court had subsequently stayed the investigation into the matter.