Court summons Samir Modi in Godfrey defamation case

The dispute stems from a May 2024 boardroom clash with Modi alleging assault, while directors claimed defamation

- Krishna Yadav & Ayaan Kartik

The Saket sessions court in Delhi has issued summons to cigarette maker Godfrey Phillips India's (GPI) former director Samir Kumar Modi in a defamation case filed by two of the company's seven independent directors.

Additional sessions judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan on Thursday set aside the trial court's 19 May order dismissing the complaint and directed the lower court to proceed with summoning Modi.

"Considering the aforesaid appreciation of facts and circumstances of the case and the case laws, the impugned order dated 19.05.2025 passed by the learned trial court stands set aside. The present revision petition stands allowed... the trial court is directed to summon the accused/respondent and proceed further as per law," the court said in an order.