Delhi Court Dismisses Journalist's Plea in Sterling Biotech Case

A Delhi court dismissed a plea by Sucheta Dalal against an order restricting content related to businessman Manoj Sandesara and the Sterling Biotech fraud. The court stated Dalal has an effective remedy in the trial court, and the appeal is not maintainable at this stage.

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by journalist Sucheta Dalal challenging an ex parte interim order. The order restrains the publication of content linking businessman Manoj Kesarichand Sandesara and his family to the alleged Sterling Biotech bank fraud case.

District Judge Vinod Kumar Meena clarified that the appellant, Dalal, has an effective remedy before the trial court as the interim injunction application is still pending adjudication. The court emphasized that the appeal is not maintainable at this stage, allowing the trial court process to continue.

Dalal's firm, Moneywise Media LLP, argued the interim order was excessively broad, impacting freedom of speech, and passed without proper hearing opportunities. However, the court agreed with Sandesara that Dalal's appeal was premature. Observations were limited to maintainability and did not influence the merits of ongoing trial proceedings.