On Sunday, British businessman of Pakistani origin Aneel Mussarat won a defamation case against the Republic Bharat, a Hindi television channel of Republic TV.
The Republic TV called Mussarat an ISI “stooge” in a programme that aired on 22 July 2020.
The London court awarded Mussarat legal costs of €37,500 and damages of €10,000.
The British businessman is known to be close to the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran khan. However, as per reports, he also has good relations with the Sharif family.
Mussarat had moved the London High Court against the Republic TV’s UK broadcaster Worldview Media Network.
Mussarat, in an interview to Pakistan’s Geo TV, said, “In July 2020, at the beginning of Covid-19, Republic TV Channel and Arnab Goswami broadcasted multiple TV programmes defaming my character, alleging me of being an ISI agent and spreading terrorism in India. I applied to the Royal Court of justice for vindication. I am glad I have been vindicated and I am thankful to the British justice system.”
Republic Bharat also displayed Mussarat’s photos with Bollywood celebrities with captions such as “Should Bollywood renounce any links with Pakistanis who take a pro-terrorist line?” and “Should Bollywood declare any links to pro-Pakistan, pro-terror, anti-India individuals and groups?”
The London Court observed, “Although I make my decision based on the Claimant’s evidence alone, I note that the programme contained no evidence whatsoever to support its assertions that the Claimant was engaged in anti-India activities including assisting in terrorism against India…”
