Delhi High Court Allows ITC’s 21-Year Defamation Case Against Telegraph to Proceed

The Delhi High Court refused to quash a 21-year-old criminal defamation case filed by ITC Hotels against The Telegraph over a 2003 article.

The Division Bench dismissed ABP’s appeal seeking termination of the proceedings, holding that the long-pending case raised substantial issues concerning alleged harm to ITC’s reputation.

The Court noted that the publication was circulated nationwide and that ITC asserted serious reputational damage, warranting a full trial rather than premature dismissal.

Finding no basis to interfere with the continuation of proceedings, the Court directed that the criminal defamation case move forward before the competent forum.

[ABP Pvt Ltd v ITC Hotels Ltd & Ors]