Shimla, May 24
In a politically charged atmosphere amidst the Lok Sabha and bye-elections, a defamation suit amounting to Rs 1.05 crore was filed against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu by BJP candidate Devinder Kumar and Independent MLA Hoshiyar Singh. The suit was lodged in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday.
The High Court has issued a notice to Chief Minister Sukhu following the defamation allegations made by Devinder Kumar, also known as Devinder Bhuto, and Hoshiyar Singh, both former Congress members who have since joined the BJP or become independent. The plaintiffs assert that the Chief Minister referred to them as “sold MLAs” during a political meeting, a statement they claim has damaged their public image and reputation.
The matter was heard by a bench comprising Judge Jyotsna Rewal Dua. The lawsuit seeks damages of Rs 1.05 crore, alleging that Sukhu’s statements were defamatory and caused significant harm to the plaintiffs’ reputations. Devinder Bhuto, who is also contesting a bye-election following his disqualification by the Speaker along with five other legislators, contends that these remarks have adversely affected his political career.
Advocate Anshul Attri, representing the plaintiffs, requested a permanent prohibitory injunction against the Chief Minister to prevent further dissemination of the alleged defamatory statements. The application, filed under Order 39 Rules 1 & 2 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, seeks to restrain the Chief Minister from making or repeating such statements on any public or social media platform, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter.
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Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court did not issue any injunction against the Chief Minister regarding the making of further statements. The matter is scheduled for hearing after the Lok Sabha elections. The application further seeks to prevent Sukhu from causing any imputation against the plaintiffs through his agents, employees, supporters, or family members.
The court, upon hearing the allegations and reviewing the application, issued a notice to Chief Minister Sukhu. The notice is returnable by June 18, 2024, with instructions for necessary steps to be taken within three days.
This legal battle emerges at a politically sensitive time, particularly for Devinder Bhuto, who is managing a bye-election campaign amidst these allegations. The case’s outcome could significantly impact the political careers of the involved parties and the broader political dynamics in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister’s office has not yet responded publicly to the High Court’s notice. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched for its potential impact on the reputations and careers of the involved politicians and the forthcoming electoral dynamics in the state.
It is noteworthy that BJP candidate from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma, also filed a similar defamation suit against the Chief Minister. This case was initially before Justice Satyan Vaidya and is now listed for hearing in July. Additionally, another defamation suit has been moved before the Himachal Pradesh High Court against Chief Minister Sukhu by BJP candidate Inderdut Lakhanpal (Badsar) and Independent MLA K. L. Thakur (Nalagarh). This third case is scheduled to be heard by the single bench of Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua on May 26.
These multiple legal actions underscore the tense political climate in Himachal Pradesh as the state navigates through the election period. The allegations and subsequent legal battles may influence public perception and voter behavior, adding a layer of complexity to the current political landscape.
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