The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issues summons in a defamation suit filed by the Indian National Congress (INC) against Arnab Goswami and Republic TV over a broadcast claiming that the party has an international office in Turkey. Congress has sought damages of ₹2 crore.
Justice Mini Pushkarna however did not grant any interim relief in the matter and only issued notice on the temporary injunction plea."I will ask if the content is stayed. The problem is, the content continues to damage me. Even if it is admitted it is false, people are still talking about it," Advocate Muhammad Ali Khan appearing for the Party urged.
The Court however proceeded to issue summons, stating, "Let plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to defendants by all modes. Written statement within 30 days. Issue notice in application for interim injunction. Reply within four weeks."The broadcast was aired in May last year. Later, an FIR was registered against Goswami and BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya. They were accused of spreading a false claim that Turkey's Istanbul Congress Centre was the office of Congress party.
Later, Republic TV issued an apology for “erroneously depicting a building as the Congress office in Turkey”.Republic TV said that a video editor had inadvertently used an incorrect image erroneously depicting the building as the Congress office in Turkey, citing a technical error.“The inadvertent error occurred after the live show ended and was carried on the digital platform. The moment it was brought to our attention, it was promptly rectified. We sincerely and unconditionally regret the error,” the public apology said.
In May 2025, Goswami had claimed that Congress party operated an office in Turkey.The claim was aired on Republic TV and circulated on social media, showing showing a building in Istanbul as the alleged office. The claim was made in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor when Turkey sided with Pakistan.
During the broadcast, Goswami said,"If you’re a Congress party voter, if you’re among that vanishing group of people who are a Congress party voter, then I want to ask you something. What kind of business does your party have in Turkey?"He went on to add that as of now, the Congress party is "with the enemies of the nation".
"They are non-committal on Turkey. What kind of a party is this? How much more will this party compromise our national interest?" Goswami added.Congress denied the allegation and accused Goswami of spreading misinformation and defaming the party.
Fact-checks and reports later indicated that the building was actually the Istanbul Congress Centre, a convention venue run by the Istanbul municipality, not a political party office.Republic TV later issued a clarification, calling the use of the image an editorial error.
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