An Indian holy man who tried to sue a journalist and a newspaper which said he was an impostor has been granted the right to appeal an earlier decision to strike out his libel claim.
Sitting at the Court of Appeal today Lady Justice Smith approved an oral application to renew the appeal on behalf of His Holiness Sant Baba Jeet Singh Ji Maharaj.
The holy man – who heads the Nirmal Kutia Johal religious order – originally had his attempt to sue journalist Hardeep Singh and Eastern Media Group – owner of the Sikh Times – struck out at the High Court in May.
The action came over an article Singh wrote for The Sikh Times in August 2007 in which alleged – the libel claim suggested — the holy man was the leader of a cult and an impostor who had disturbed the peace in the Sikh community of High Wycombe and promoted blasphemy and the sexual exploitation and abuse of women.