Delhi HC Orders Tehelka, Journalist Tarun Tejpal to Pay Rs 2 Crore as Damages for Defaming Army Officer

The Delhi High Court has ordered Tehelka, along with its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Anirudh Behl, and Mathew Samuel, to pay a hefty sum of Rs 2 crore as damages to retired Indian Army officer Major General MS Ahluwalia in a defamation case.

The case dates back to 2001 when Tehelka conducted a sting operation, alleging that Major General Ahluwalia was involved in corrupt practices within defense deals. The court, presided over by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, observed that the plaintiff’s reputation suffered immensely due to the false allegations, resulting in a severe lowering of public esteem and a serious taint on his character. The court acknowledged that no subsequent reputation could redress the damage inflicted upon Major General Ahluwalia over the past 23 years.

The court further emphasized that an apology at this stage would be insufficient and meaningless, given the magnitude of the defamation.

The suit revealed that Tarun Tejpal, the proprietor of Tehelka.Com, was responsible for managing the release of news items and articles on the website. Tehelka.Com had launched a media blitz on 13th March 2001, featuring a story that alleged corruption in defense deals related to the import of new defense equipment.

The article claimed that Major General Ahluwalia demanded a bribe of Rs 10 lakh and a bottle of Blue Label whiskey, accepting a token bribe of Rs 50,000. The plaintiff asserted that these allegations were deliberately made without verifying the true facts.

The court noted that the allegations were false, known to the defendants, and were intentionally made to tarnish Major General Ahluwalia’s reputation and image in the eyes of the general public. Additionally, the court discovered that the alleged tape containing the conversation between the reporter and the plaintiff had been tampered with and doctored to manipulate the recording, with selective portions deleted and editorial comments added without substantiated facts.

In response to the telecasted video tape, the Indian Army launched a Court of Inquiry into the issue, summoning Major General Ahluwalia, thereby further tarnishing his military reputation and honor, putting them under a cloud of suspicion.

With this recent judgment, the Delhi High Court has taken a strong stance against defamation and underscored the importance of responsible journalism and fact-checking in media reporting. The order serves as a reminder that false and defamatory content can have far-reaching consequences on an individual’s reputation and calls for accountability and due diligence in media practices.