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Anil Ambani files defamation suit against Congress leaders, say reports

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Anil Ambani files defamation suit against Congress leaders, say reports

Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence has filed a defamation suit against Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Prithviraj Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others after they failed to respond to a ‘cease and desist’ notice issued against them by the company over the Rafale deal, reported Business Today.

The Congress leaders had levelled allegations against the company in connection with the controversial defence deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a government-to-government contract.

The leaders who have been dragged to the court include Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Anurag Narayan Singh, Oommen Chandy, Shaktisinh Gohil, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sunil Jakhar and Priyanka Chaturvedi, said a report in Deccan Herald (DH).

In a letter sent to Congress media coordinator Sanjiv Singh, a law firm representing Reliance said allegations made by Congress leaders were “false, frivolous, misleading and derogatory” in nature that created a “negative image about  the company in the minds of the public and resulted in defamation of the clients,”

“Since they (Congress leaders) failed to comply with the legal notices sent to them, our clients (three Reliance group companies) were constrained to file separate defamation suits against them that are currently pending before the courts,” it says, according to the DH report.

The letter was sent by Mumbai-based firm Mulla & Mulla, and Craigie Blunt & Caroe on behalf of Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Reliance Defence Limited and Reliance Aerostructure Limited, belonging to Reliance Group of companies led by Anil Ambani.

The Congress has been consistently targeting the BJP-led NDA government and Anil Ambani’s company over the Rafale deal. The Congress has been accusing massive irregularities in the Rafale deal, alleging that the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government for the procurement of 126 Rafale jets.

The Congress has also been pressing for price details of the deal, but the NDA government has refused to divulge them citing confidentiality provisions of a 2008 Indo-France pact.

An IndiaToday.In report says the notice had been sent in the form of a ‘cease and desist’ letter that asked the Congress party to stop spreading “misinformation” about Reliance Defence. Since they failed to respond the company would fight the case in court.

The notices were served ahead of a month-long offensive planned by the Congress against the Rafale deal. The party has planned press conferences across the country from August 25 to September 6, and district and state-level agitations starting September 7.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had formed a six member task force to take on BJP over the Rafale deal, Rahul Gandhi asked about 50 Congress leaders to hold press conferences in 100 cities across the country in the next few days exposing the deal.

Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy was appointed head of the committee. Other members include Randeep Surjewala, Shakti Singh Gohil, Arjun Modwadia, Pawan Khera, Priyanka Chaturvedi and Jaiveer Shergill.

Rahul Gandhi had also emphasised on the importance of exposing the BJP on the “irregularities” regarding the Rafale deal. He had also demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into the matter.

The ‘cease and desist’ letter

As the Congress planned its campaign, Anil Ambani had written to Rahul Gandhi two days ago, saying that the Congress had been misinformed, misdirected and misled on the Rafale deal and there is no irregularity in the deal between Reliance Defence and Rafale , as alleged by the Congress boss.

In the second letter, Ambani said, “Rafale fighter jets are not being manufactured by Reliance or the Dassault Reliance Joint Venture. All 36 planes are to be 100 per cent manufactured in France, and exported from France to India.”

He said that “not a single component” of the 36 Rafale aircraft purchased by India “worth a single rupee is to be manufactured by Reliance”.

After two letters addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale deal, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence sent a legal notice to Congress national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill asking him to refrain from making unverified, frivolous and defamatory statements on the deal.

The notice, is in the form of a cease and desist letter, asked Shergill and Congress to stop spreading “misinformation” about Reliance Defence.

In the notice, Anil Ambani alleges that Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Sanjay Nirupam, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and others have been making incorrect, frivolous and misleading statements about the selection of Reliance Defence for a joint venture with French defence major Dassault Aviation as part of the Rafale deal.

Shergil is one of the members of the Congress task force on the Rafael Deal. He said he won’t “get scared with such notices”. “Tax payer of this country deserves to know why they paid extra [Rs] 42000 crore.”

Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, in reply to a question at a news conference, confirmed that several party leaders across the country had received notices on Tuesday and said he himself had got one earlier, on August 1, said a report in The Telegraph (TT).

“I have sent the preliminary reply. When we speak, we speak with authenticated facts and with great responsibility. Till now, no industrialist has sent a notice to a political party… but Rafale is Modiji’s monumental scam – the grandmother of all scams. He is very scared and is getting his friends to send legal notices,” Gohil added.

Notices had been sent to 80 Congress leaders, and added this was the first time the group had issued such a notice to a political party, said the TT report citing a source in the business group.

Gohil said on Wednesday the Congress would not back down because of some legal notices. “If Modiji enjoys trying to scare us, he can entertain himself by doing so. We are committed to the fight against corruption and are willing to go to jail if need be in the national interest,” he said.

One of the notices sent out on Tuesday refers to “your party’s plan to launch a nation-wide campaign against its political adversary on the issue of purchase of Rafale fighter aircrafts…” and urges “you to avoid, cease and desist from making any unverified, speculative, incorrect, false, frivolous, misleading derogatory and defamatory statements….”

The notice mentions nine Congress leaders on whom notices have been served earlier, and defamation suits filed.

The Congress on Wednesday repeated the allegation of “crony capitalism” against Modi.

Legal notices were sent to these leaders but they did not respond, the cease and desist notice says. The group has now decided to pursue the matter in court against each of them.

Power scam: At the news conference, the party accused the Centre of trying to side-step an April 2017 Supreme Court order rejecting a plea by the Adanis, Essar and the Tatas to revise the electricity price agreed on in the 2007 Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Former Union minister Jairam Ramesh said though the court had rejected the plea, the Centre had advised Gujarat to set up a high-powered committee to suggest a solution. “Instead of appealing against the Supreme Court judgment, the Modi government is trying to reopen the matter through another route,” he said. The party described this as a “Rs 88,000-crore power scam”.

India News

Delhi LG VK Saxena directs probe into remarks against Kangana Ranaut by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate

The Delhi Police will investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose.

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Delhi lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena today sought a detailed probe from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in relation with the alleged defamatory social media post made by Congress’s Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut.

Reportedly, BJP candidate from New Delhi Bansuri Swaraj had given a complaint to the LG seeking probe and registration of an FIR against Shrinate for outraging the modesty of a woman. Subsequently, the Delhi LG has forwarded the complaint to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing a scientific investigation in the matter and initiation of legal action, if necessary.

Reports said that the Delhi Police will also investigate who was behind the said social media post and whose mobile phone was used for the purpose. A major controversy erupted on Monday after an objectionable post from Supriya Shrinate’s social media handle against Kangana Ranaut, who has been announced as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi.

Responding to the remarks, Kangana Ranaut said that they must free the daughters from the shackles of prejudices and must rise above the curiosity about their body parts. She added that people must refrain from using sex workers’ challenging lives or circumstances as some kind of abuse or slur. She concluded that every woman deserves her dignity. As the controversy intensified, the Congress leader asserted that someone else had posted the objectionable content from her handle. 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate for her derogatory remarks against Kangana Ranaut. The Election Commission observed that the remarks are undignified and in a bad taste. The election body asked the Congress leader to respond to the commission by Friday. In the notice, the Election Commission stated that the statements made by the leader is prima facie violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in force ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. 

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Bollywood actor Govinda joins Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now.

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Bollywood actor Govinda joined Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena on Thursday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. In 2004 Govinda contested from Mumbai North Lok Sabha on a Congress ticket and earned the nickname of a giant slayer as he defeated BJP’s Ram Naik. He resigned from the party and said that he had decided to take a break from politics.

Govinda on his official induction in the party by CM Eknath Shinde said he is joining Shiv Sena and it is a blessing from God. He said he thought he would not enter politics again. Govinda said Mumbai looks cleaner and better now. He said his parents had a good relationship with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.

Shiv Sena leader Krishna Hedge met the Bollywood actor at his residence in Juhu. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said the actor’s joining the Shiv Sena does not come with a rider. Govinda said whatever work is assigned to him, he will do it to the best of the ability. He said he was a part of the 14th Lok Sabha and has returned to politics after 14 years.

Speaking about his role in politics, the actor said he would transform the film city of Mumbai. He did not reply when he was asked about contesting elections. Govinda said everybody has seen the same level of progress in Maharashtra in the last 2 years, as it has been seen in the country in the last 10 years. He said he is going to focus on the beautification of the state and work towards the growth of art and culture.

Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora welcomed Govida into the party and said he has known the veteran Bollywood actor for almost 25 years. He recalled the 2004 election and said both of them had fought elections together.

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To browbeat, bully others is vintage Congress, says PM Modi after lawyers express concern over attempts to undermine judiciary

Lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

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PM Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party after more than 600 lawyers and some bar associations across the country wrote to the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, expressing concerns over attempts to undermine the judiciary’s integrity using political and professional pressure.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote that to browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture. He recalled that five decades ago, the party itself had called for a committed judiciary, adding that they shamelessly want commitment from others for their selfish interests, but desist from any commitment towards the nation. He concluded that no wonder, 140 crore Indians are rejecting them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments followed after lawyers, including Harish Salve and Bar Council chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, wrote to CJI DY Chandrachud, alleging that a vested interest group is trying to put pressure on the judiciary and defame courts, particularly in cases of corruption involving politicians.

The lawyers said the tactics used by the vested interest group are damaging the courts and threatening democratic fabric. They stated that Chief Justice Chandrachud’s leadership is crucial in these tough times and the Supreme Court should stand strong, adding it is not the time to maintain dignified silence.

Without naming, the letter also targeted a section of lawyers and alleged they defend politicians by day and then try to influence judges through the media at night. Furthermore, they claimed that some elements are trying to influence who the judges are in their cases and spread lies on social media to put pressure on the judges to decide in a particular way.

In addition, the All Manipur Bar Association had also written to CJI DY Chandrachud highlighting the need to speak out against underhanded attacks on the judiciary on Wednesday. In its letter, the bar association said that it was extremely concerned about recent trends where vested interest groups were trying to defame the courts with frivolous logic and stale political agendas.

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