Delhi High Court stays ₹40 lakh defamation verdict against Hindustan Times, Neelesh Misra

The Delhi High Court has put a hold on a trial court’s order that had directed Hindustan Times and its former journalist Neelesh Misra to pay ₹40 lakh in damages to businessman Arun Kumar Gupta, over a 2007 news report deemed baseless and damaging.

The trial court had apportioned ₹30 lakh to HT and ₹10 lakh to Misra, and also mandated an apology and permanent restraint on defamatory remarks

The stay, granted by Justice Mini Pushkarna, is effective during the pendency of the appeal, keeping enforcement of the award on hold.