'Half Girlfriend' in trouble: Delhi HC summons Chetan Bhagat for defaming 'Royal family of Dumraon'

New Delhi, April 22: The bestselling author Chetan Bhagat has landed himself in trouble over his "half girlfriend" novel that was published last year in October.

According to media reports, 67-year-old Yuvraj Chandra Vijay Singh of the erstwhile royal family of Dumraon in Buxar district of Bihar has slapped a defamation case and Rs one crore. [Controversy catches up with Chetan Bhagat, this time the writer is accused of plagiarism]

Singh, the eldest son of Maharaja Bahadur Kamal Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Dumraon, has filed a petition in Delhi High Court for false and derogatory information about his family in his novel. [I'm not the best writer, but the bestselling writer: Chetan Bhagat]

Singh has issued warning for further sale or circulation of the novel in its present form with immediate effect.

In the defamation suit, the publisher of 'half girlfriend', Rupa Publications have been named as respondents.

Delhi High Court issues summons to Chetan Bhagat

According to reports, the Delhi High Court has issued summons to Bhagat and Rupa Publications to appear before it on May 1st, personally or by a pleader. [Chetan Bhagat's next book due for release in October]

In the Hindi version of 'half girlfriend', Bhagat has changed the name of Dumraon as Simraon.

But the erstwhile royal family wants the full retraction of the original content of the novel.

Vijay's son, Shivang Vijay Singh, a BJP leader, also said that his family told Bhagat to make the necessary changes regarding the content, but he has not taken their pleas seriously.

In the novel, Bhagat has projected males of Dumraon royal family as gamblers and alcoholics.

Chetan Bhagat and Rupa Publications had received the legal notice by the Dumraon family on November 14, 2014.

On Nov 24, Bhagat had tweeted, "Meanwhile, have to write letter to the family in Dumraon explaining the meaning of fiction and imaginary stories. Will do so privately."

On Nov 25, 2014, Bhagat had sent a reply to their notice in which he had expressed regret.

In December, Dumraon family had said it is ready to accept "the offer of friendship" extended by eminent author Chetan Bhagat provided he tenders "unconditional public apology" and recalls all yet to be circulated copies of his bestseller, 'Half Girlfriend', which purportedly contained derogatory references to them.

Singh had expressed dissatisfaction over the e-mail of Bhagat sent to the Supreme Court lawyer Gaurav Ghosh as a response to the legal notice sent to him and Rupa Publications in November.

Dumraon family sent another notice to Bhagat on Dec 8, 2014 and a third notice was sent on Jan 16, 2015.

When Bhagat sent them a 'vague' reply, then the family decided to file defamation case against him.

The erstwhile Dumraon Royals have been peeved with Bhagat for making "derogatory" references to them in his novel 'Half Girlfriend'.

Meanwhile, have to write letter to the family in Dumraon explaining the meaning of fiction and imaginary stories. Will do so privately.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) November 24, 2014

OneIndia News