Delhi Court Halts Distribution of Book on Yes Bank Co-Founder Rana Kapoor

Delhi court halts distribution of 'Yes Man: The Untold Story of Rana Kapoor' amid defamation claims by the Yes Bank co-founder, impacting legal proceedings.

on Jul 17, 2024

Delhi Court Halts Distribution of Book on Yes Bank Co-Founder Rana Kapoor | Frontlist

A Delhi district court has issued an order halting the sales and circulation of a book titled "Yes Man: The Untold Story of Rana Kapoor," written by journalist Pavan C Lal in 2020. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by Rana Kapoor himself, co-founder of Yes Bank Ltd. Rana Kapoor claimed the book contained defamatory content, damaging his reputation and ongoing legal matters.
Kapoor argued that the book's references were defamatory and violated his fundamental rights, potentially impacting his ongoing legal proceedings. His legal representative emphasized that protecting Kapoor's reputation outweighs the freedom of publication.

Harper Collins Publishers India Pvt., the publishing house involved, countered in court that the book's content did not constitute defamation under Indian law. They argued that Kapoor, as a public figure, had been extensively covered in the media regarding legal issues, challenging claims that the book caused harm.

The court found certain statements in the book derogatory, including references to Kapoor's image in a medical mask escorted by police and allegations of using influence to secure a job and manipulate banking regulations. It ruled in favor of Kapoor, noting the irreparable harm to his reputation if the book continued circulation despite potential financial losses for the defendants.