The Jharkhand High Court has dismissed an appeal challenging the acquittal of a college principal and newspaper personnel in a criminal defamation case arising from a news report published in Prabhat Khabar. The Division Bench held that a reporter who merely publishes what a police officer has stated cannot, on that basis alone, be saddled with criminal liability.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay and Justice Arun Kumar Rai on August 29, 2026.
Background of the Case
The case arose from a complaint filed by Bimlendu Narayan Ball, then Head Clerk of A.S. College, Deoghar. He alleged that a newspaper report stated that he had been suspended and that an FIR had been lodged against him during the tenure of the then Principal, Dr. H. Narayan. He claimed that the publication harmed his reputation and caused mental stress.
The trial court had convicted the respondents under Section 500 of the IPC and sentenced them to one year’s simple imprisonment. However, the Sessions Court later set aside the conviction. Ball then approached the High Court against that decision.
Court’s Observation
The High Court examined the disputed news report and noted that it carried a statement attributed to SDPO Vipul Shukla regarding alleged irregularities involving admission certificates.
The Bench found that the college principal had only explained the admission procedure and the responsibilities of the Head Clerk. It held that this part of the report was not defamatory.
Regarding the reporter, the Court observed:
“The respondent No. 4 was merely a Reporter and the publication of a news item is beyond the purview of a Reporter and the same cannot fasten any criminal liability upon him.”
Decision
Finding no reason to interfere with the Sessions Court’s judgment dated September 26, 2011, the Division Bench dismissed the appeal.
Pending interlocutory applications, if any, were also closed.
Case Details
Case Title: Bimlendu Narayan Ball v. State of Jharkhand & Ors.
Case Number: Acquittal Appeal (DB) No. 15 of 2015
Judge: Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay and Justice Arun Kumar Rai
Decision Date: August 29, 2026
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