The Delhi High Court declined to entertain a PIL seeking a scientific inquiry into Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s claim that his wife recovered from Stage 4 cancer through Ayurveda and a dietary regime. Filed by Divya Rana, the PIL also requested temporary removal of Sidhu’s social media posts on X and Meta.
The Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela upheld Sidhu’s right to free speech, emphasizing that he was sharing personal experiences. “He is voicing his opinion, not compelling anyone to follow it. Counter it with your speech if you disagree,” remarked Chief Justice Manmohan.
The petitioner argued that unverified health claims could mislead the public, urging stricter guidelines from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate such information. Directions were also sought for Sidhu to provide medical evidence of his wife’s recovery and for health bodies like ICMR to validate his assertions.
However, the Court refused to intervene, likening the scenario to cases where individuals are free to avoid potentially harmful content. Justice Gedela suggested filing PILs against more pressing health hazards, such as cigarette and alcohol production.
The Court reiterated the importance of balancing free speech with accountability but dismissed the plea as outside its jurisdiction. Following this, the petitioner withdrew the PIL.
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