The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday issued a legal notice to BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma in response to a defamation complaint lodged by BJP MP Raju Bista.
The complaint arises from statements made by Sharma during a press conference, in which he accused Bista of direct involvement in the Jal Jeevan Mission corruption scandal.
Raju Bista, the BJP MP representing Darjeeling, asserts that Sharma, an MLA from Kurseong, West Bengal, disseminated misleading and defamatory allegations against him.
According to the complaint, Sharma alleged that Bista, as a member of the Jal Jeevan Mission Planning and Monitoring Committee, had exercised undue influence over project allocations, leading to significant irregularities in the scheme’s execution.
Sharma further claimed that contracts in Darjeeling were improperly awarded to Surya India Private Limited, bypassing standard procurement protocols.
At the press conference held on April 24, 2024, Sharma suggested a financial and organizational linkage between Surya India Private Limited and Surya Roshni Ltd., a company where Bista serves as Managing Director.
He further alleged that Surya India Private Limited had been granted tenders worth Rs. 12 crores under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Darjeeling, characterizing the entity as a shell company of Surya Roshni Ltd.
Given the proximity of these allegations to the electoral cycle, questions have been raised about their possible political motivations. In response, Bista has filed a defamation suit, arguing that Sharma’s assertions lack factual basis and were strategically timed to damage his public standing.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal has issued a pre-summoning notice to Sharma, with the matter scheduled for pre-summoning evidence on March 10, 2024. Upon reviewing the presented evidence, the court will determine whether to issue formal summons.
Representing Raju Bista in court were advocates Varun Jain, Akhilesh Singh Rawat, Rohini Rana, and Arun Sharma.
This case underscores the broader implications of intra-party conflicts, particularly in the context of electoral politics.
It highlights the legal and political ramifications of defamation allegations within the same political organization, demonstrating how internal disputes can influence public perception and electoral outcomes.
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