Delhi High Court - Orders
Indian National Congress (Inc) vs Arnab Goswami And Ors on 17 March, 2026
$~33
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ CS(OS) 208/2026, I.A. 6652/2026, I.A. 6653/2026, I.A. 6654/2026 &
I.A. 6655/2026
INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC) .....Plaintiff
Through: Mr. Muhammad Ali Khan, Mr. Omar
Hoda, Ms. Eesha Bakshi, Mr. Kamran
Khan, Ms. Ayesha Khan and Mr.
Surya Kiran Singh, Advocates
Mob: 6302244992
Email:
[email protected]
versus
ARNAB GOSWAMI AND ORS. .....Defendants
Through: None.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MINI PUSHKARNA
ORDER
% 17.03.2026 I.A. 6653/2026 (For Exemption)
1. Exemption allowed, subject to all just exceptions.
2. Application is accordingly disposed of.
I.A. 6654/2026 (under Section 151 of the CPC seeking leave to file electronic documents/evidences in CD(s)/DVD(s))
3. The present application has been filed on behalf of the plaintiff under Section 151 of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 ("CPC"), seeking leave to file electronic documents/evidences in CD(s)/DVD(s).
Page 1 of 4This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/03/2026 at 22:35:00
4. In terms of Rule 24 of Chapter-XI of the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018, it is made clear that electronic records can be received in CD/DVD/Medium, encrypted with a hash value. The said Rule is extracted as below:
"24. Reception of electronic evidence - A party seeking to tender any electronic record shall do so in a CD/ DVD/ Medium, encrypted with a hash value, the details of which shall be disclosed in a separate memorandum, signed by the party in the form of an affidavit. This will be tendered along with the encrypted CD/ DVD/ Medium in the Registry. The electronic record in the encrypted CD/ DVD/ Medium will be uploaded on the server of the Court by the Computer Section and kept in an electronic folder which shall be labeled with the cause title, case number and the date of document uploaded on the server. Thereafter, the encrypted CD/ DVD/ Medium will be returned to the party on the condition that it shall be produced at the time of admission/denial of the documents and as and when directed by the Court/ Registrar. The memorandum disclosing the hash value shall be separately kept by the Registry on the file. The compliance with this rule will not be construed as dispensing with the compliance with any other law for the time being in force including Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872."
5. Accordingly, Registry may receive electronic record in a Digital Versatile Disc ("DVD"), so long as it is encrypted with a hash value or in any other non-editable format. Let the DVD containing the documents, be placed in the electronic record of the present suit.
6. Accordingly, the present application is allowed and the plaintiff is allowed to place the documents/evidence in a DVD.
7. With the aforesaid directions, the present application is disposed of.
I.A. 6655/20268. The present application has been filed on behalf of the plaintiff, seeking enlargement of time for filing of Court Fees.
9. Learned counsel appearing for the plaintiff submits that they need four (04) weeks' time to file the deficient Court Fees.
Page 2 of 4This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/03/2026 at 22:35:00
10. Let the needful be done, within the aforesaid period.
11. Noting the aforesaid, the present application is accordingly disposed of.
CS(OS) 208/2026 & I.A. 6652/2026
12. Let the plaint be registered as suit.
13. Issue summons to the defendants, through all permissible modes.
14. The summons shall state that the written statement(s) shall be filed by the defendants, within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of summons. Along with the written statement(s), the defendants shall also file affidavit(s) of admission/denial of the documents of the plaintiffs, without which, the written statement(s) shall not be taken on record.
15. Liberty is given to the plaintiff to file replication(s), if any, within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the written statement(s). Along with the replication(s), filed by the plaintiff, the affidavit(s) of admission/denial of the documents of defendants, be filed by the plaintiff, without which, the replication(s) shall not be taken on record.
16. It is made clear that any unjustified denial of documents may lead to an order of costs against the concerned party.
17. If any of the parties wish to seek inspection of the documents, the same shall be sought and given within the timelines.
18. Issue notice in I.A. 6652/2026.
19. Let reply be filed, within a period of four (04) weeks, from today.
20. Rejoinder thereto, if any, be filed within a period of two (02) weeks, thereafter.
21. List before the Joint Registrar (Judicial) 05th May, 2026, for completion of service and pleadings.
Page 3 of 4This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/03/2026 at 22:35:00
22. List before the Court on 19th May, 2026.
MINI PUSHKARNA, J MARCH 17, 2026/SK Page 4 of 4 This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/03/2026 at 22:35:00