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CM files defamation suit against former Minister

Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh

SHIMLA: Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh filed a criminal defamation case against former State Minister Vijay Singh Mankotia in a court here on Saturday for levelling “false and defamatory” allegations of corruption against him and his wife.

The Chief Minister filed the defamation case in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Yashwant Singh Chogal, who recorded his statement.

The CJM fixed September 15 for recording the statements of witnesses in the case.

In his complaint, the Chief Minister charged Mr. Mankotia with levelling false and defamatory allegations of corruption against him and his wife Pratibha Singh, who is a Member of Parliament, by releasing a CD on the eve of the Lok Sabha by-election from Hamirpur this past May.

He said Mr. Mankotia released the CD to help the BJP candidate win the by-election and to “destroy my public image”.

The Chief Minister sought lawful action against Mr. Mankotia, the rebel Congress leader who joined Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party recently, for levelling “false and baseless” allegations against him.

The court granted the Chief Minister exemption from personal appearance till further orders. – PTI

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CM files defamation suit against former Minister

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