On Friday, Congress spokesperson and media chief Pawan Khera caused a stir in New Delhi by alleging that someone in “the highest office” had helped a businessman purchase a real‑estate‑rich media firm for “peanuts.” The claim prompted the businessman to send a Rs 100 crore defamation notice.
Khera’s early‑morning tweet did not name an organization, but it mentioned R.P. Gupta, who had recently taken over the management of the news agency United News of India (UNI). UNI, established in 1959, is headquartered in a former British‑era bungalow on Rafi Marg, adjacent to the Ministry of Telecommunications and just above Patel Chowk Metro station.
Following the post, Gupta—who serves as Chairman of The Statesman Ltd and Director of UNI—served the notice through his lawyer, Praveen Kumar. The letter demanded a retraction, an apology, and a written undertaking that Khera would cease repeating the allegations, which were also said to insult the President and the judiciary.
Gupta’s lawyer warned that non‑compliance could trigger civil and criminal action, with damages up to Rs 100 crore recoverable at Khera’s expense.
Khera has previously faced controversy, notably for defaming former Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father and linking the PM to industrialists.
In the notice, Gupta’s lawyer described Khera’s tweet as “false, cowardly, and anti‑national” statements that disrespected the nation’s highest office and judiciary. The tweet in question asked: “Who is RP Gupta? Did someone in the highest office of the country help him acquire a real‑estate‑rich media company for peanuts? Who is the real owner of the said company?” The lawyer called these questions bare‑faced lies designed to damage Gupta’s reputation among peers, friends, media houses, and society at large.
The letter also noted the distress Gupta experienced after the tweet, citing shock from friends and well‑wishers who called in reaction to the baseless insinuations.
Khera’s assertion of help from “the highest office” was portrayed as mockery not only of the President but also of the judicial process that approved the acquisition—a transparent, public procedure that had taken nearly two years to complete.
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