SC refuses to stay HC order against book on Ramdev

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay an interim order passed by the Delhi High Court stopping the publication and sale of a book allegedly defamatory to yoga guru Ramdev.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra did not grant any interim relief to the publisher Juggernaut Books, rather it asked the Delhi High Court to decide the petition by September-end.

The petition by the publisher challenged the trial court order banning the publication and sale of the book, ‘Godman To Tycoon’.

The publisher had knocked the doors of the apex court after the High Court, in its interim order, had refused to lift the ban on sale and publication of the book imposed by the trial court.

“This court requests the Delhi High Court to decide the main petition by the end of September,” the Bench, which comprised Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, said.

It also directed the parties to complete the pleadings by August 7 and disposed of the petition.