Assam Court Restrains Congress Leaders From Making Defamatory Statements Against Sarma
After hearing a defamation suit claiming Rs 500 crore against Congress leaders and two local newspapers, the civil senior district judge Nayan Jyoti Sarma passed the order
Guwahati: In a major relief a Kamrup (Metro) court in Guwahati on Friday restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Bhagal and others from making any defamatory statements against Assam chief minster Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with the alleged ownership of land by him and his family members.
After hearing a defamation suit claiming Rs 500 crore against Congress leaders and two local newspapers, the civil senior district judge Nayan Jyoti Sarma passed the order.
The judge said, “The Court is of the considered opinion that if an order of ad-interim injunction is not passed as prayed for, it will defeat the justice and there is every possibility of creation of multiplicity of proceedings.”
The Court also issued a show-cause notice to the Congress leaders asking them why the interim injunction should not be made absolute. The matter will be heard next on March 9.
Assam chief minister in his defamation suit said that newspapers reports were published following the Congress leaders' recent press conference in which it was alleged that the Assam chief minister purchased a large amount of land in the name of his wife and family members.
He pleaded that such remarks are extremely defamatory. It was also submitted that the newspapers published the reports without following the principles of natural justice.
Mr Sarma through his defamation suit has sought Rs 500 crore in damages from the Congress leaders "for making false, malicious and defamatory" allegations against him in the press conference.
It is significant that Congress leaders recently addressed a press conference in which it was alleged that the Assam chief minister has purchased a large amount of land in the name of his wife and family members.
(EOM)
