According to reports, additional district judge Ruchika Singla summoned the Internet Archive, a digital library situated in the United States. The defendant has been given 30 days from the day they received the summons to file a reply, per the court’s ruling. The documentary, according to the petitioner, is intended to malign the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and its members.
The documentary, according to the petitioner, is intended to malign the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and its members.
The petitioner stated that the banned documentary is still available on Wikipedia and US-based Digital library.
“Issue summons of the suit for settlement of issues to the defendant on filing of PF and e-mode returnable on next date of hearing. PF be filed today itself” the court said in it’s order.
It went on to state that the documentary’s distribution had created a climate of anxiety and fear among members of diverse groups and had the potential to incite violence and endanger public order across the country once more.
“The Defendant No.1 (BBC), strategically and purposefully disseminated unfounded rumours without verifying the authenticity of the claims. Furthermore, the accusations made therein foster animosity between multiple faith communities, in particular Hindus and Muslims.”
Although the documentary has been outlawed by the Indian government, links to watch it can still be found on Internet Archive and on a Wikipedia page dedicated to the series.
In order to prevent the BBC, Wikimedia, and Internet Archive from posting the documentary or any other materials disparaging the RSS and VHP, the plaintiff requested an injunction against them.
On May 11. 05. 2023, the case will now be heard by Judge Ruchika Singla.