INDIA: BSP leader files suit against Hindi daily

Former member of parliament also demands apology from Hindi newspaper

The Times of India
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Lucknow --- BSP leader and former member of parliament (MP) Rizwan Zaheer on Tuesday filed a suit for Rs 10 lakh damages against a prominent Hindi daily alleging that the newspaper published a defamatory item tarnishing his image in public, which resulted into his defeat in the recent Parliamentary election from Shrawasti seat.

Civil judge (senior division) Mahesh Singh Kushwaha admitted the suit and issued notices to the officials of the daily. Zaheer also demanded unconditional apology from the daily. On behalf of Zahir, his counsel Vivek Pandey pleaded in the plaint that the said daily published a news item in its edition on April 20, two days before the voting in the constituency, stating that Zaheer had been involved in more than 23 criminal cases.

It was also said that Zaheer had close relations with Mirza Dilshad Beg of Nepal, alleged to be the associate of D-company. Zaheer submitted that there was only one case under section 309 IPC sending against him. Therefore, the story was published without verifying the correct facts.

The counsel, Vivek Pandey argued that the false and incorrect news item was published willingly under influence of opponent political leaders to malign the image of the former parliamentarian in public. Due to the said derogatory and defamatory news item, Zaheer suffered huge loss of his prestige, added Pandey.

Date Posted: 7/15/2009