The Delhi High Court today issued notices to journalist Arnab Goswami and his news channel Republic TV following a defamation suit filed by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for allegedly making defamatory remarks against him while airing news related to the mysterious death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

"Bring down the rhetoric. You (Goswami and Republic) can show facts, but can't call him (Tharoor) names," the Delhi High Court said.

On May 26, Tharoor had filed the civil defamation suit against Arnab Goswami and his newly-launched news channel, claiming damages and compensation of Rs 2 crore. The Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram had also sought a direction from the court to restrain Republic TV from broadcasting any show relating to the death of his wife till the investigation is completed by the Delhi Police.