Tejpal and Bahal to Apologize, Pay Damages for Defaming Maj Gen Ahluwalia in Corruption Sting

Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal and journalist Aniruddha Bahal have agreed to tender an unconditional apology to Major General (retd) MS Ahluwalia, as reported by Bar & Bench. This development comes 22 years after Tehelka accused Ahluwalia of corruption in a sting operation. The Delhi High Court previously ordered Tehelka, Tejpal, Bahal, and another journalist, Mathew Samuel, to pay ₹2 crore in damages for defaming Maj Gen Ahluwalia.

On January 12, Tejpal and Bahal admitted before the Delhi High Court that Ahluwalia neither sought nor accepted bribes. They agreed to publish an apology in prominent newspapers and to deposit ₹10 lakh each with the court.

The defamation case was initiated by Ahluwalia in 2002, following Tehelka's allegations in their sting operation "Operation West End". The operation, which aimed to expose corruption in defence deals, included false claims against Ahluwalia, such as demanding bribes and luxury items like Blue Label whiskey. The Indian Army court-martialled Ahluwalia, leading to his dismissal from service that was later downgraded to 'Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’ by the Army Chief. 

The recent court proceedings, led by the division bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora and Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, arose from an appeal by Tejpal and Bahal against a single judge's ruling  from the previous year ordering Tehelka and journalist Mathew Samuel to pay Rs 2 crores to Ahluwalia for defaming him.

Ahluwalia's counsel emphasized the long-lasting stigma he faced, while Tejpal and Bahal's lawyers Senior Advocates Siddharth Luthra and Pramod Kumar Dubey argued that they did not have the means to pay such a huge sum in damages. The Bench highlighted the importance of the apology in defamation cases and instructed the journalists to deposit ₹20 lakhs for now (₹10 lakh each) and publish their apology in the Hindustan Times. The Court added that it will hear the appeal and decide the quantum of damages to be awarded.

Credit: OpIndia and Bar & Bench