The legal chessboard just saw a sudden move—Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav has stepped aside from hearing Nalin Kohli’s defamation case against DB Corp, publisher of Dainik Bhaskar. No reasons were elaborated, but his bench will no longer weigh in on the high-profile dispute. “It has to go to some other bench,” the judge remarked, redirecting the matter to Thursday’s list.
At the heart of Kohli’s complaint is a sting video and an accompanying report, in which Dainik Bhaskar allegedly drew a direct line between him and a digital web of fake news—news, he says, designed to smear political figures.
Kohli, a senior advocate and BJP national spokesperson, has denied all claims and moved the court for more than just words. His plea demands takedown of the content, an injunction, and damages for what he calls a baseless and damaging association.
The sting in question reportedly featured undercover journalists engaging with companies offering political propaganda-as-a-service—packages of digital deceit, tailor-made for smear campaigns. In the videos, company reps are allegedly seen boasting about crafting and spreading fake narratives, for a price.
Kohli was quick to respond. On April 11, he issued a denial and made clear his next move: legal action against the publication.
The courtroom drama now awaits its new stage—and a new judge.
