Imran Khan's billionaire friend wins defamation suit against Indian news channel

LONDON - Anil Masrat, a British businessman and friend of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, has won a defamation lawsuit against India's news channel Republic India in London.

Anil Masrat has been accused by a right-wing English-language Indian news channel of spreading terror in India.

In the wake of Hindutva-influenced propaganda, the well-known businessman has filed a petition in a British court against the republic's British Broadcasting Corporation, World View Media Network, accusing him of being a "puppet of Pakistan's spy agency" on the talk show.  .

Masrat confirmed that his picture was broadcast and that he did not believe that freedom of expression extends to brotherhood with people.  He told the court that the allegations had severely damaged his reputation.

The obnoxious presenter presented the show titled “Should Bollywood declare its affiliation with pro-Pakistan, pro-terror, anti-India individuals and groups?”  and "Should Bollywood renounce any ties with Pakistanis who support terrorism?"

After the pleadings, Claire Tugood, deputy head of the Queen's Division of the Supreme Court, noted that there was no evidence that Anil Masrat was involved with Pakistan's spy agency.

It was reported that Republic TV's lawyer did not attend and the verdict was issued in the defendant's absence.

Mr. Tugod QC's deputy judge also ordered Masrat to pay £37,500 in legal costs and £10,000 in damages because Anil Masrat had only applied for symbolic damages.

Speaking to the media, the British billionaire refused to work for any intelligence agency.  He added that a controversial Indian broadcaster had broadcast several programs that tarnished his reputation.

Anil has connections with Bollywood A listeners including Sonam Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Haritak Roshan and many more.

She also has her roots in Pakistan, mainly due to her interest in the country's political scene and her closeness to the PTI chief.

Imran Khan traveled to London in September 2016 for the star-studded wedding of Anil Sira's sister, where he also spoke to the guests, in his second speech at any wedding.