Defamation case against The Wire: SC informed JNU never received alleged ‘Sex Racket Dossier’
New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) informed the Supreme Court on Friday that it had not received any dossier allegedly prepared by Professor Amrita Singh, describing the university as a "den of organized sex racket." This revelation came in relation to a defamation case filed by Professor Singh against the news outlet 'The Wire.'
Professor Singh, formerly associated with JNU, filed a criminal defamation case against 'The Wire' over a report published in 2016 that claimed she had prepared a dossier depicting JNU as a “Den of Organised Sex Racket.” The Delhi High Court in 2023 quashed the summons issued against the Editor and Deputy Editor of 'The Wire' in Singh's defamation case. Challenging this order, Professor Singh approached the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked JNU to confirm if such a dossier had been submitted. During the hearing on Friday, the bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia was informed that the JNU Vice-Chancellor had filed an affidavit stating that no such dossier, matching the description provided in the petition, was received by the university's academic section.
Considering this information, the Court pronounced its order stating, "The affidavit filed by JNU states that no dossier of the description matching the contents of the petition was received... This, according to the petitioner, strengthens her case. Respondent 1 and 2 have also filed their affidavits. The counsel for the petitioner seeks to submit that they were received only yesterday and would like to file a rejoinder within two weeks. The case will be listed on November 21."
In the background, the complaint was filed by Professor Singh in 2016, referring to an article written by 'The Wire’s Deputy Editor Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprastha titled “Dossier Call JNU “Den of Organised Sex Racket”; Students, Professors Allege Hate Campaign.” Singh alleged that the publication imputed that she had prepared a dossier depicting JNU as a “Den of Organised Sex Racket.”
The Delhi High Court had quashed the summoning order in March 2023, stating that the publication did not contain anything defamatory against Professor Singh, emphasizing that the article did not target her personally.
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National Synodal Assembly 2026 begins in Bengaluru with over 220 delegates
Bengaluru: The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) on May 1 inaugurated its National Synodal Assembly 2026 at St. John’s Medical College, bringing together more than 220 delegates from across the country under the theme Synodal Pilgrims of Hope.
The assembly is part of the global synodal process initiated in 2021 by Pope Francis, which calls for greater participation, dialogue and shared responsibility within the Church. In India, the process has involved consultations at diocesan, regional and national levels.
Participants at the assembly include two Cardinals, 25 Bishops, 65 priests, more than 20 women religious, and over 100 lay faithful, including youth and women leaders.
The gathering began with a Eucharistic celebration led by Filipe Neri Ferrão. In his homily, he described the assembly as a moment of grace and discernment and called on delegates to walk together in prayer, listening and missionary commitment.
He spoke about the importance of the Risen Christ in the mission of the Church and urged the faithful to be witnesses of the Gospel. Referring to the conversion of St Paul, he said every baptised person has a role in spreading the message of Christ. He also highlighted the example of St Joseph the Worker, stressing the dignity of labour and the call to holiness in everyday life.
The formal inauguration included the invocation of the Holy Spirit through Veni Creator Spiritus and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Deputy Secretary General Fr. Stephen Alathara welcomed the delegates and described the gathering as a spiritual journey.
In his presidential address, Cardinal Ferrão referred to the CCBI pastoral plan titled Journeying Towards a Synodal Church: Mission 2033 and called on participants to build on the vision outlined at the 36th Plenary Assembly held in Bhubaneswar in 2025.
Delegates will reflect on four key themes identified from 16 pastoral priorities: interreligious dialogue and peacebuilding, inclusion of the excluded, poverty and integral ecology, and support for children and youth.
The discussions are being conducted through a method of spiritual conversation aimed at encouraging listening, dialogue and collective decision-making. The focus is on translating these discussions into practical actions within the Church.
The assembly also looks ahead to the Jubilee Year 2033, which will mark 2,000 years of the Redemption, and aims to strengthen the Church’s mission in the coming years.
Further consultations are scheduled for September 2026, with the process expected to conclude at the 38th Plenary Assembly of the CCBI in January 2027.
Organisers said the assembly seeks to strengthen unity within the Church and promote participation of all sections, including women and youth, in shaping its future direction.
