Court restrains three Congress leaders and a newspaper from issuing or publishing further alleged defamatory statements: defendants summoned for March 9 hearing
Guwahati: A court in Guwahati on Thursday passed key interim directions in the Rs 500 crore defamation case filed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against senior Congress leaders over alleged defamatory remarks regarding his assets and political conduct.
The case, heard by the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) No. 1, Kamrup (Metro), was filed after the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee levelled allegations against the Chief Minister during a press conference, which were later reported in sections of the media. Sarma termed the claims “baseless and malicious,” stating that they were made without any supporting evidence.
The suit names Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, along with senior leaders Jitendra Singh and Bhupesh Baghel, as defendants. The Chief Minister has challenged them to substantiate their allegations that he owns 12,000 bighas of land and that he became Chief Minister through political betrayal.
Granting an ad-interim injunction, the court restrained the three Congress leaders from making, publishing, or circulating any further statements or materials considered defamatory until the matter is heard. The concerned newspaper has also been barred from carrying additional reports on the issue. The court further directed that proof be submitted to establish the authenticity of the news reports.
All defendants, including the Congress leaders and Jayanta Baruah, chairman of the Asomiya Pratidin group, have been summoned to appear before the court on March 9.
Advocate General Devajit Saikia said the Chief Minister has consistently declared all assets before the Election Commission and in income tax filings. He also indicated that a separate criminal case would be filed.
The court observed that without interim protection, justice could be compromised, underscoring the seriousness of the matter.
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