Northeast Desk, 5th September: In a significant legal move, Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has filed a defamation lawsuit against Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Vincent H. Pala, demanding Rs 100 crore in damages. The legal action comes in response to statements made by Pala during a press conference on August 22, 2024, where he accused Dhar of being a “spokesperson” for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging Dhar was under investigation by the CBI.
Dhar’s legal team, Sharan and Associates LLP, issued the notice, which calls for an immediate, unconditional apology from Pala, alongside a retraction of the statements made. The legal notice claims that Pala’s remarks were deliberately defamatory, intended to harm Dhar’s public image and standing. “These statements were made with malicious intent to damage our client’s reputation and to publicly ridicule him for personal political gain,” the notice states.
The defamation notice demands that Pala issue a public apology, publish it in leading newspapers, and provide an undertaking not to repeat similar accusations. In addition to the Rs 100 crore in damages, Dhar’s legal representatives have asked Pala to cover all expenses related to the case. The notice also requires the removal of any online content featuring the press conference.
Failure to comply within seven days could result in civil and criminal legal proceedings, including charges under Sections 351 and 356 of the BNS, 2023, the notice warns.
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