Delhi Court Orders Hindustan Times, Neelesh Misra To Pay ₹40 Lakh Compensation in Defamation Case

A Delhi court has directed Hindustan Times and journalist Neelesh Misra to pay ₹40 lakh in damages to a businessman for publishing a defamatory article and publish an apology within 60 days. 

The article allegedly linked the businessman to serious criminal allegations, i.e, severe financial irregularities without sufficient evidence, causing reputational harm.

The court found that the publication failed to verify the facts and exercised irresponsible journalism.

The court emphasized that freedom of the press does not permit character assassination and underscored the need for media accountability.  (Arun Kumar Gupta v. HT Media Limited & Ors)