HC refuses to entertain plea against Navjot Sidhu

Delhi High Court refuses to entertain plea against Navjot Singh Sidhu's cancer remedy claims, emphasizing freedom of speech.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (December 4, 2024) refused to entertain a plea against Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s claims that certain remedies helped his wife in her battle against stage 4 cancer.

A Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said the former cricketer had only voiced his opinion and the petitioner was also free to counter the claims.

“He is just voicing his opinion. Counter his claims by holding a press conference. Counter free speech by free speech and not by curtailing his free speech under the fear of legal action or contempt. We still have freedom of speech in this country,” the court said.

“You can’t say freedom of speech be curtailed. You counter his claim. This is not our domain. If you don’t agree with this gentleman’s views, don’t listen to him. There are a lot of books which you may feel are bad, don’t read them. Who is asking you to read them? Free speech is not meant to be curtailed by bringing them to court and putting them under the fear of contempt withdrawn,” the court said.

“We can’t entertain a writ petition on this. Thousands of people claim they have a cure for something but that does not mean you will seek action against them,” it added.

At a press conference in Amritsar on November 21, Mr. Sidhu stated that his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had been declared cancer-free, emphasising the role of dietary and lifestyle changes in her recovery.

He then said his wife’s diet included things like lemon water, raw turmeric, apple cider vinegar, neem leaves, basil, pumpkin, pomegranate, amla, beetroot and walnuts which made her healthy.