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J&K Deputy CM's Legal Battle: Court 'Puzzled' by Defamation Suit Gaps

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has filed a defamation suit in the Delhi High Court. He is seeking the removal of objectionable online content that allegedly carries sexual undertones. However, the court found significant gaps in the petition, noting that no transcripts of the videos were provided. Justice Amit Bansal expressed puzzlement and directed the submission of detailed evidence, scheduling the next hearing for January 2026.

Key Points: J&K Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary Defamation Suit Delhi High Court

  • Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary seeks removal of online content with alleged sexual undertones
  • Delhi High Court notes significant gaps, as no video transcripts were provided
  • Court directs Choudhary to file detailed transcripts by the next hearing in 2026
  • The case has prompted J&K authorities to reinvestigate digital media's role
2 min read

J&K Dy CM moves Delhi HC through defamation suit over objectionable online content

J&K Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary moves Delhi HC over online defamation. Court finds gaps in suit, directs submission of video transcripts for hearing in 2026.

"I was 'puzzled' while reading the petition. - Justice Amit Bansal, Delhi High Court"

Jammu, Dec 2

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has moved the Delhi High Court through a defamation suit seeking removal of objectionable online content allegedly carrying sexual undertones and alleging his improper relationship with a woman.

The online content had found wide circulation, which prompted authorities in Jammu & Kashmir to reinvestigate the role of digital media and independent citizen reportage after the issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly.

Surinder Choudhary, a legislator and member of the ruling National Conference (NC), has sought a permanent and mandatory injunction alleging that there is defamatory content with sexual undertones on several social media platforms, including Facebook pages and YouTube channels, against him.

The matter was heard briefly on Tuesday by Justice Amit Bansal, who found significant gaps in the suit. The court recorded that no transcripts of the allegedly defamatory videos or recordings were placed on record, leaving it impossible to determine the nature of the content or assess whether defamation had occurred.

Justice Bansal said he was 'puzzled' while reading the petition, questioning how the court could reach any conclusion about the material without the relevant transcripts.

The Deputy Chief Minister's counsel submitted that much of the impugned content was nearly two years old, and many of the URLs belonged to news agencies that had republished the social media material.

In response, the Court directed Surinder Choudhary to file detailed transcripts of the recordings and videos cited in his petition. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on January 13, 2026.

Google LLC and Meta Platforms have been instructed to share information about the Facebook pages and YouTube channels that uploaded the disputed content, allowing the Deputy Chief Minister to implead them as defendants in the suit.

He defeated the then BJP president of J&K unit, Ravinder Raina, in Nowshera, assembly constituency of Jammu division, in the 2024 assembly elections.

Raina polled 27250 votes and lost to National Conference's Surinder Choudhary by a margin of 7,819 votes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Social media has become a wild west. Character assassination is so easy now. Whether the allegations are true or not, this kind of content ruins reputations and families. Hope the truth comes out.
A
Aman W
The court being 'puzzled' says it all. How can you file a suit without the basic evidence? Feels like a tactic to scare critics. Our leaders should have thicker skin and focus on governance, not just image control.
S
Sarah B
Interesting that the content is two years old and surfaces now. The timing is always political in J&K. But involving Google and Meta is the right step to trace the source. Anonymous trolls need to be held accountable.
V
Vikram M
As a citizen, I expect my representatives to have high moral character. If these allegations are false, the Deputy CM has every right to defend himself. But the process must be transparent. Janta dekh rahi hai.
K
Kavya N
The real issue is the woman involved. Her privacy and reputation are at stake too, but the article doesn't mention her at all. These cases often forget the human cost on the other side. Very sad.

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