British businessman wins defamation case against Republic Bharat

Businessman and property developer Aneel Mussarat has won a defamation case against Indian broadcaster Republic Bharat at the London High Court over allegations made by the channel’s lead anchor Arnab Goswami.

The high court in London held that there was no evidence behind assertions that Aneel Mussarat was an “ISI stooge”.

The British Pakistani businessman took legal action after Arnab Goswami on 22nd July 2020, referred to Aneel Mussarat as an “ISI stooge” and his picture was shown in the programme to coincide with an interviewee stating, “I don’t think freedom of expression extends to fraternising with people who are clearly involved in sending terrorists across into India”.

The judge noted that Arnab Goswani’s programme contained no evidence whatsoever to support its assertions that Aneel Mussarat was engaged in anti-India activities including assisting in terrorism against India, Geo News reported.

The judgement was made by Deputy Master Toogood QC after hearing Aneel Mussarat’s case against Republic’s UK broadcaster Worldview Media Network. Republic Bharat didn’t take part in the court proceedings at any stage and the judgement has been issued in absence of the defendant.