Defamation
Querist :
Anonymous
(Querist) 05 September 2024
This query is : Resolved
Meena Sharma is a well-known editor in a monthly magazine from Delhi who built her reputation by investigating corruption. A few years ago, she wrote a series of articles accusing a politician, of misusing public funds for his personal benefit. Meena’s reports stirred up controversy, with many people discussing the corruption claims she made. But the politician denied all the accusations and filed a defamation lawsuit against Meena, claiming that her articles were false and damaging to his reputation. This lawsuit has been dragging on for three years, with no solution in sight because the courts are overloaded and keep delaying the hearings. Meena’s career has suffered during this time. Some people question her credibility, and it’s been hard for her to get work as an editor because of the ongoing case. And the legal team of the politician is demanding a large sum of money from Meena, claiming her articles damaged his political career. Meena’s legal team argues that her case should be transferred to the BNSS’s fasttrack courts, so the matter can be resolved quickly. The politician’s lawyers, however, believe that the defamation case should proceed as per the usual court timeline. What can be done?
T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate
(Expert) 05 September 2024
This is a matter of practical issues to which no legal solutions can be suggested.
If she is affected by this case then she should have made an alternative arrangement long ago, even now she is not prevented from looking for an alternate occupation instead of depending on the same profession where her ability and skill is not recognized rather it has been tarnished for no fault of her.
She can analyse the situation and take a considered decision instead of spending more money on litigation towards lawyer fee etc.
