Judge strikes out Sikhs for Justice UK's libel claim against Tory peer Rami Ranger
LONDON: A high court judge here has struck out a libel claim brought by the UK branch of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) against multimillionaire Tory peer Rami Ranger but allowed the claim against him brought by the US SFJ's general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to continue.
The£500,000 (Rs 5.8 crore) libel claimcentres on an interview Ranger, chairman of the British Sikh Association, gave 'Pakistan Daily' in 2021 and a tweet in which he alleged SFJ and Pannun were funded by 'the enemies of India'. Ranger is quoted in the article as saying: 'They are misleading the public that there are atrocities in Punjab and Sikhs are being badly treated, and all that nonsense, in order to capture the money which is coming to gurdwaras.
'
The article was published on Nov 30, 2021 with the headline 'Lord Ranger questions faith, funding of Sikh separatist leader'.
Both SFJ UK and Pannun, a New-York based attorney, who India has designated as terrorist, claimed the article damaged their reputations and sought damages and an injunction. They pleaded that the meaning of the article was that they 'are agents of and are funded by Pakistan and ISI and are therefore dishonest about the source of their funding', and that Pannun 'is deliberately misleading the public about the atrocities and ill-treatment suffered by Sikhs in the Punjab in order to illegitimately take money from the gurdwaras'.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Brass Krishna Idols For Prosperity & Protection In Life
Luxeartisanship
Shop Now
Undo
Justice Jay described the case as a 'storm in a teacup'. He struck out the claim by SFJ UK in its entirety, saying that the entire article was about the US-based SFJ and SFJ UK was not mentioned, even though David Lemer, representing the claimants, had sought to argue the context inferred SFJ UK.
With reference to the 'enemies of India', he said it is 'well known Pakistan is the main enemy of India and vice versa' but added that 'there is nothing in the article to suggest Pakistani ISI is somehow involved… or that these claimants are agents of Pakistan.
To be funded by Pakistan is not defamatory.'
He refused Lemer permission to appeal and SFJ UK was ordered to pay Ranger's legal costs/
Nayaz Qazi, who works for Ranger, told TOI outside court: 'It is shocking that these frivolous allegations brought by SFJ and Pannun were used against Rami Ranger in deciding the revocation of his CBE.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Nato leaders to meet for what could be historic summit or divided one
US President Donald Trump and his Nato counterparts will meet formally Wednesday for a summit that could unite the world's biggest security organisation around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the allies. Just a week ago, things had seemed rosy. Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte was optimistic the European members and Canada would commit to invest at least as much of their economic growth on defense as the United States does for the first time. Then Spain rejected the new Nato target for each country to spend 5 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence, calling it unreasonable. Trump insists on that figure, but doesn't say it should apply to America. The alliance operates on a consensus that requires the backing of all 32 members. Trump has since lashed out at Prime Minister Pedro Snchez's government, saying: Nato is going to have to deal with Spain. Spain's been a very low payer." He also criticised Canada as a low payer. European allies and Canada also want Ukraine to be at the top of the summit agenda, but they are wary that Trump might not want President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to steal the limelight. The two-day summit has been overshadowed by Trump's decision to order the bombing of nuclear installations in Iran. In 2003, the US-led war on Iraq deeply divided Nato, as France and Germany led opposition to the attack, while Britain and Spain joined the coalition. A short summit, decades of mutual security The summit in The Hague involved an informal dinner Tuesday and one working session Wednesday morning. A very short summit statement has been drafted to ensure the meeting is not derailed by fights over details and wording. Indeed, much about this Nato summit is brief, even though ripples could be felt for years. Founded in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed by 12 nations to counter the threat to security in Europe posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, notably via a strong US presence on the continent. Dealing with Moscow is in its DNA. Keeping the peace outside the Euro-Atlantic area is not. Nato's ranks have grown to 32 countries since the Washington Treaty was signed 75 years ago. Sweden joined last year, worried by an increasingly aggressive Russia. Nato's collective security guarantee Article 5 of the treaty underpins its credibility. It's a political commitment by all countries to come to the aid of any member whose sovereignty or territory might be under attack. Trump has suggested he is committed to that pledge, but he has also sowed doubt about his intentions. He has said the US intends to remain a member of the alliance. Asked again on Tuesday whether he would abide by Nato's security guarantee, Trump said: There's numerous definitions of Article 5, you know that, right? But I'm committed to being their friends. He added only that he is committed to life and safety. A civilian runs Nato, but the US and its military hold power The United States is Nato's most powerful member. It spends much more on defence than any other ally and far outweighs its partners in terms of military muscle. Washington has traditionally driven the agenda but has stepped back under Trump. The US nuclear arsenal provides strategic deterrence against would-be adversaries. Nato's day-to-day work is led by Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister. As its top civilian official, he chairs almost weekly meetings of ambassadors in the North Atlantic Council at its Brussels headquarters. He chairs other NACs at ministerial and leader levels. Rutte runs Nato headquarters, trying to foster consensus and to speak on behalf of all members. Nato's military headquarters is based nearby in Mons, Belgium. It is always run by a top US officer. Ukraine's role at the summit is unclear With Trump demanding greater defence spending, Ukraine's role has been downgraded, compared to previous summits. Zelenskyy attended a royal dinner that Trump also attended Tuesday. He will not have a seat at Nato's table for its one working session. But nor will any other non-Nato leader. More broadly, Nato itself is not arming Ukraine. As an organisation, it possesses no weapons of any kind. Collectively, it provides only nonlethal support fuel, combat rations, medical supplies, body armour, and equipment to counter drones or mines. But individually, members do send arms. European allies provided 60 per cent of the military support that Ukraine received in 2024. Nato coordinates those weapons deliveries via a hub on the Polish border and helps organise training for Ukrainian troops. Nato's troop plans A key part of the commitment for allies to defend one another is to deter Russia, or any other adversary, from attacking in the first place. Finland and Sweden joined Nato recently because of this concern. Under Nato's new military plans, 300,000 military personnel would be deployed within 30 days to counter any attack, whether it be on land, at sea, by air or in cyberspace. But experts doubt whether the allies could muster the troop numbers. It's not just about troop and equipment numbers. An adversary would be less likely to challenge Nato if it thought the allies would use the forces it controls. Trump's threats against US allies including imposing tariffs on them has weakened that deterrence. The US is carrying the biggest military burden Due to high US defence spending over many years, the American armed forces have more personnel and superior weapons but also significant transportation and logistics assets. Other allies are starting to spend more, though. After years of cuts, Nato members committed to ramp up their national defense budgets in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Nato allies agreed to make 2 per cent of GDP the minimum spending level. Last year, 22 countries were expected to hit that target, up from only three a decade ago. In The Hague, the allies were expected to up the ante to 3.5 per cent, plus a further 1.5 per cent for things like improving roads, bridges, ports and airfields or preparing societies to deal with future conflicts.
News18
22 minutes ago
- News18
Strategic Snub? China's Muted SCO Response Reveals Pakistan's Waning Influence, Fractured Alliances
Last Updated: Analysts say the shift reflects Beijing's frustration with Pakistan's perceived 'double game' on regional security and inability to deliver on initiatives like CPEC Pakistan has been facing increasing diplomatic isolation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, with even traditional allies like China and Russia refraining from offering support amid growing concerns over Islamabad's role in regional instability. The change in demeanour was evident when National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval explicitly named Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as major threats to regional security. The statement went unchallenged by any SCO member—including China—which has historically blocked attempts to single out Pakistan at multilateral forums. The silence was widely viewed as a strategic message from Beijing, indicating that its support for Islamabad is now conditional and dependent on broader regional considerations. According to top government sources, China's decision to remain neutral was influenced by its desire to avoid further strain with India amid efforts to stabilise bilateral ties and maintain growing trade relations. While China continues to offer military assistance to Pakistan, it has increasingly opted for diplomatic proximity to India at strategic forums. Analysts say this shift reflects Beijing's frustration with Pakistan's perceived 'double game" on regional security and its inability to deliver on key initiatives like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 'The SCO moment reflects a regional recalibration," sources said. 'India is gaining diplomatic ground, China is recalibrating its strategy, and Pakistan is being edged out due to its inconsistent foreign policy and damaged credibility." Diplomats point out that Pakistan's international standing has been weakened by a combination of factors—including erosion of democratic institutions, overreliance on military-driven foreign policy, failure to counter terrorism narratives, and its inability to maintain balanced relations with the US, China, and the Islamic world. Tehran, in particular, has expressed unease with Pakistan's engagement with the US. Iran reportedly views Islamabad's cooperation with Washington—particularly amid tensions in the Middle East—as a betrayal of broader Islamic interests, further undermining Pakistan's efforts to build coalitions based on religious unity within the SCO. Meanwhile, Russia also chose to remain neutral at the summit, signalling a growing reluctance to back Pakistan in regional disputes. Observers say both Moscow and Beijing are prioritising their evolving ties with India over traditional loyalties to Islamabad. The outcome of the SCO summit is being interpreted in diplomatic circles as a clear warning to Pakistan: unless it aligns more consistently with regional priorities—including counter-terrorism, economic cooperation, and de-escalation with India—it risks becoming increasingly irrelevant in multilateral decision-making. With major powers now engaging Pakistan largely through military channels and bypassing its civilian institutions, the country's multilateral influence appears to be diminishing. Islamabad's long-standing strategy of balancing between global powers is now under significant stress, with few allies stepping forward to shield it diplomatically. First Published: June 25, 2025, 10:08 IST
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Next strike will be bigger': Iran accuses Israel of violating US-brokered ceasefire with drone attacks
Iran's Revolutionary Guard accused Israel of violating the US-brokered ceasefire by using drones to strike Iranian territory. Spokesman Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned of stronger retaliation, citing a strike on the US Al Udeid base as a message. He threatened broader targets if attacks continue. President Trump criticized Israel's strikes and claimed he halted further action to preserve the truce. Israel says the campaign against Iran is not over yet. Show more Show less
