News website ‘The Wire’ published a report on 8 October alleging that BJP President Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah’s business grew 16,000-fold the year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed power in 2014. The article triggered a political storm with the Opposition demanding that the Modi government at the Centre order a probe by the CBI or Enforcement Directorate.
Later on 9 October, Shah filed a defamation suit against seven people at ‘The Wire’, including the author of the article, its editor and the owner of the publication. While a lower court issued a gag order in favour of Shah barring the website for publishing articles on Jay Shah, the Gujarat High Court refused to stay the order.
- Jay Shah filed a defamation suit against The Wire
- On Wednesday, a metropolitan court in Ahmedabad adjourned the hearing to 16 October
- ‘The Wire’ claimed Jay Shah’s company recorded 16,000-fold growth the year after PM Modi’s election
- The BJP termed the story “false, derogatory and defamatory”
- The Congress, the Left and the AAP demand investigation by ED, CBI
- Govt lawyer Tushar Mehta is representing Shah in court
- Gujarat High Court refuses to stay lower court’s order banning The Wire for publishing articles on Jay Shah
Gujarat HC Refuses to Stay Gag Order Against The Wire, Seeks Reply from Jay Shah
Gujarat High Court has refused to stay a lower court's ex parte order barring The Wire from publishing any article on Jay Shah's firm, reported The Indian Express.
An Ahemdabad court had previously issued a gag order in favour of Jay Shah, following which The Wire had moved the high court.
Dushyant Dave, senior lawyer appearing for The Wire said the article published by his client wasn't defamatory in nature and was based on facts and public documents.
The High Court also issued a notice to Jay Shah seeking his reply in the case. The Indian Express reported that the next hearing will be after two weeks.
Those Accusing Jay Shah of Wrongdoing Should Go to Court: RSS
RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Saturday said those levelling allegations against BJP chief Amit Shah's son should go to court, and the RSS does not want to take a stand on the issue.
Taking a different line from what was said by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Thursday, Joshi said those who have levelled allegations against Jay Shah should go to the court.
"It is not necessary that allegations levelled against someone are true. There is no reason to believe this. How allegations are levelled these days, everybody knows," Joshi said.
He said it is for the court of law to decide who is a guilty and who is not. "So those making charges against Jay Shah should approach the courts because RSS does not deem it fit to take a stand on such issues," he said at the conclusion of the three-day meet of RSS National Executive Committee.
Hosabale had earlier said that if there are corruption allegations against anyone, an inquiry should be done and "action can be taken accordingly. But there has to be prima facie evidence of wrong-doing".
"Why Did Congress Not Gather Courage to Defamation Suits?"
BJP president Amit Shah on 13 October said there was “no question of corruption” in his son Jay Shah's company.
The BJP chief also came down heavily on the Congress, which had seized on the report to attack him as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress has faced so many allegations of corruption. Have they ever filed a criminal defamation or a Rs 100 crore civil defamation suit? Why did they not gather the courage to file such cases. Jay has filed a defamation suit. He has sought an inquiry (by approaching the court). Now, you can go to the court with the facts
'It's For Accusers to Prove Charges': RSS Spokesperson Hosabale
RSS spokesperson Dattatreya Hosabale in Bhopal said that it was for the accusers to prove charges against Jay Shah, the son of Amit Shah, reported NDTV.
If there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoings, then there should be a probe, but the charges should be proven. But its for accusers to prove charge.Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS Spokesperson