Doctor couple summoned in Rs 50 lakh defamation suit over COVID-19 complaint
Hisar: A local court has summoned a doctor couple in a Rs 50 lakh defamation suit filed by a retired biologist who served as a district Covid officer, following a dispute over complaints made during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The suit was filed by the retired officer through his advocate before the Additional Civil Judge. The court has directed the doctor couple to submit their response by September 1, 2026.
According to the petition, the dispute dates back to 2020, when the complainant allegedly approached senior health officials over claims that the doctor couple continued operating an OPD despite testing positive for COVID-19 and allegedly did not follow government quarantine guidelines.
The complaint subsequently resulted in a departmental inquiry and registration of an FIR at Urban Estate police station under IPC Sections 188, 269 and 270, along with Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act.
The petition further alleged that the doctor couple later filed a complaint against the retired officer, resulting in another FIR under IPC Section 509 at City police station. The complainant claimed that the allegations against him were subsequently found to be unsubstantiated, following which the FIR was cancelled, and a related protest petition was withdrawn.
According to The Times of India, the retired officer has alleged that the accusations against him were nevertheless circulated through newspapers, YouTube and social media platforms, which he claims caused mental distress and affected his social and professional reputation.
He has sought Rs 50 lakh in damages with 18% annual interest, besides a public apology on social media and publication of an unconditional apology on the front page of a national newspaper. He has also claimed that a legal notice sent to the defendants received no response.
The court has now issued summonses to the defendants and directed them to file their response by September 1, 2026. The matter will proceed further based on the submissions of both sides.
