Holy man looks set to drop libel case

An Indian Sikh holy man who is suing a journalist in the British courts for libel has been ordered to put up quarter of million pounds in security costs in order to pursue the case further.

Baba Jeet Singh Ji Maharaj, the leader of a controversial sect of Sikhs in the Punjab, has been seeking damages from Slough-based freelance journalist Hardeep Singh for more than four years.

The dispute centres around an article published in the Sikh Times in August 2007 in which Mr Singh alleged that Mr Maharaj, as head of the Nirmal Kutia Johal sect, was an imposter and a cult leader.

Freedom of speech campaigners have criticised the legal action as a prime example of libel tourism whereby foreign nationals who have never travelled to the country use British courts to pursue damages.

Mr Maharaj’s lawyers argued that the British courts are the correct place to pursue the claims because the article was published and read in the UK. Next month the Coalition Government is set to introduce a Libel Reform Bill which campaigners hope will tackle the issue of libel tourism.

The case against Mr Singh was struck out by the High Court last year but Mr Maharaj was given permission to appeal with a hearing set for later this month.

However lawyers acting on behalf of Mr Maharaj were forced to write to the court earlier this week to say that they had received no recent instruction from the Sikh leader suggesting that he has now in fact abandoned his claim.

This morning the court ordered him to put up £250,000 within the next two weeks as security or risk having the case thrown out entirely. There was no-one present from Mr Maharaj’s team in court.

For Mr Singh, who has had to re-mortgage his own house in order to fight the libel claim, the move represents a potential victory after more than four years of legal battles.

Speaking after today’s hearing, the 33-year-old reporter called on the Government to bring in constructive libel reform.

“It seems that the minute His Holiness has been required to make any financial commitment to these proceedings, he has decided to simply throw in the towel,” he said. “This behaviour is demonstrative of how our libel laws have become the plaything of rich foreign nationals who know full well that the inherent threat of financial ruin can be used to intimidate and stifle the rights of individuals to speak freely on matters of public interest.”

Until late last year Mr Singh had to pay his own legal bills. He is now represented by the law firm Carter Ruck under a “no win no fee” basis. But even if the case is eventually dropped, he now faces the lengthy prospect of legal battles in India to recoup his costs.

“The irony of the situation though is that even now, with the Appeal looking very much over, I have the stark prospect of seeking to recover my costs in India, which may take another 6-7 years of my life,” he said. “This will add more to the already huge expense of fighting this case, all for my freedom of speech, for writing something in the public interest about someone who's actions are wholly inconsistent with true Sikh values.”

Nick Collins, from Leeds based solicitors Ford and Warren, represents Mr Maharaj. When contacted by The Independent this afternoon Mr Collins said he still had not heard from his client but defended his firm’s decision to pursue the original claim.

“This was never a case of libel tourism,” he said. “The article was published in England by an author who resides in England and was read by people in England. It was therefore appropriate for us to pursue this case in the English courts.”

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
India and Shimla
14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

Day In a Page

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell