Defamation in Commercial Suit

Posted on by Rudrajyoti Nath Ray

T.V. Today Network Limited, incorporated under The Companies Act, 1956, operating ‘AajTak’, ‘AajTak HD’, ‘India Today Television’ and ‘Good News TV’, submitted, Defendants Nos. 1 to 9 tarnished its reputation. The suit is not just for relief against ‘defamation’, which would certainly not constitute a ‘commercial suit’, but is one in which violation of ‘copyright’ has allegedly resulted in ‘defamation’/’commercial disparagement’ also. Section 2(1)(c) of The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 does not set out an exhaustive list of disputes and would cover situations, such as in present case, where reliefs are closely intertwined. Commercial Court has jurisdiction.

But, no exceptional circumstances for issuance of mandatory injunction; no irreparable loss or injury for issuance of interim injunction. 

– Hon’ble Justice Asha Menon of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, T.V. Today Network Limited v. News Laundry Media Private Limited, [I.A. 14237/2021 in CS(COMM) 551/2021].

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