NEW DELHI, Oct 2: The Delhi High Court has deleted two media defendants from a defamation suit filed by former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta after they published unconditional apologies over articles concerning him.
In CS(OS) 859/2025, Arun Kumar Mehta v. Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar & Ors.counsel for Mehta informed the Court that Kashmir Life and Daily Headlines Today had “realized their mistake” and published apologies in relation to the articles in question.
Mehta, who was personally present, confirmed that he no longer wished to pursue the suit against the two defendants. The Court consequently directed that Defendant Nos. 3 and 5 be deleted from the array of parties through its order dated September 30, 2026.
The defamation proceedings, however, will continue against Ashok Kumar Ranchhodbhai Parmar, The Wire and The Kashmiriyat, who have chosen to contest the case.
Mehta’s counsel submitted that the case against the remaining defendants would focus on the source, verification, presentation and republication of allegations concerning him. The former Chief Secretary has maintained that serious allegations relating to corruption, abuse of office and public wrongdoing were circulated without adequate factual foundation and caused damage to his reputation.
The Court also considered applications by Defendant Nos. 1, 2 and 4 seeking condonation of delay in filing their written statements. Mehta’s counsel did not oppose taking the statements on record, subject to costs, noting that they were filed within the permissible outer period.
The Court accordingly directed that the written statements be taken on record and imposed costs of ₹10,000 on each of the three defendants, payable to the plaintiff within four weeks.
Mehta’s counsel also informed the Court that the plaintiff would withdraw the case against the remaining defendants if they tender apologies of a similar nature. Defendant No. 4 sought time to consider the proposal.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 15, 2026.