Himachal Pradesh HC grants “Last Opportunity” to petitioners in defamation suits against CM Sukhu
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Shimla, Aug 19,
In a recent development at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Satyen Vaidya has granted a “last opportunity” to three petitioners—Sudhir Sharma, Hoshyar Singh, and Rajinder Singh—to file their replications in separate defamation suits filed against Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. The court has warned that no further extensions will be given.
The case was heard on August 18, 2025, with separate hearings for each civil suit.
The petitioners are seeking over Rs 1 crore each in damages, alleging that the Chief Minister referred to them as “sold MLAs,” causing significant harm to their reputations.
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The court noted that despite having been given “sufficient time,” the petitioners had not yet filed their replications.
During the proceedings court noted in the orders of Rajinder Singh and Hoshyar Singh matters,” the plaintiff was given a final two-week window to file the replication. The court stated, “As a matter of indulgence, one last opportunity is afforded to the plaintiff to file replication within two weeks positively, failing which no further opportunity shall be granted”7.
Notably, the defamation suits were filed earlier this year, soon after the Chief Minister made the alleged statement during a political exchange. The petitioners contend that the comment was completely unfounded and was intended to malign their public image.
The case has now been listed for further consideration on September 9.
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