BBC ordered to Delhi High Court over Modi documentary

The BBC has been ordered to the Delhi High Court implicit a defamation lawsuit astir its documentary connected Narendra Modi.

The documentary focused connected the premier minister's relation successful anti-Muslim unit successful Gujarat successful 2002, erstwhile helium was main curate of the state.

The Gujarat-based radical that filed the suit, Justice connected Trial, told Reuters the documentary had defamed India.

The BBC said it was alert of the proceedings but it was "inappropriate to remark further astatine this stage".

Although the documentary, India: The Modi Question, was broadcast connected tv lone successful the UK this January, India's authorities attempted to artifact radical sharing the programme, calling it "hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage" with a "colonial mind-set".

Weeks aft the broadcast, the BBC's Delhi offices were raided by Indian income taxation authorities, and successful April an probe was opened into the broadcaster for alleged violations of overseas speech rules.

The documentary itself examines Mr Modi's enactment during the Gujarat riots which began the time aft a bid carrying Hindu pilgrims was acceptable connected fire, sidesplitting dozens. More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died successful the consequent violence.

India's PM has agelong rejected accusations against him, and has not apologised for the riots. In 2013, a Supreme Court sheet besides said determination was insufficient grounds to prosecute him.

The BBC has antecedently said the documentary was "rigorously researched" and that "a wide scope of voices, witnesses and experts were approached, and we person featured a scope of opinions, including responses from radical successful the BJP".