Kochi: An activist who attended the protests against the functioning of Nitta Gelatin factory at Kathikudam in Thrissur district in 2013, has won a legal battle with the company after it filed a defamation suit for Rs 10 lakh. A Kochi court asked the company to give Rs 70,000 towards the legal expenses of Prem Kumar of Moozhikkulam. Harikumar K. N., additional sub-Judge, also dismissed the suit.
According to Prem Kumar, the company initially filed a defamation notice of Rs 1 crore and later filed a suit before the court for Rs 10 lakh. The case was filed stating that the speech was made by the activist before the venue of a meeting attended by the shareholders of the company. The order was passed in October 2015 and the decree was executed last week. Advocate B. M. Ajith appeared for Prem Kumar.
“The company handed over a cheque the other day,” the lawyer said. The company initially filed the suit against five activists but only Prem Kumar decided to contest. A police lathi charge took place in July 2013 and subsequently there were widespread protests against the company.
