HC seeks responses from Lokshahi channel, YouTuber and MLC Ambadas Danve to Kirit Somaiya’s defamation suits

Somaiya alleged that the Lokshahi news channel, owned by Swaraj Marathi Broadcasting Company, had run a story based on an explicit video purportedly showing him in prime time. He claimed that Thatte’s YouTube channel GaganBhedi had published the same video and that Danve referred to the video and made defamatory comments at a press conference.

Somaiya approached the high court with suits seeking orders restraining the channels and people from saying anything defamatory about him and also sought Rs 100 crore as damages from each of the respondents. He also sought an unconditional apology from the trio that they will not circulate any further defaming statements about him.

Danve, through advocates Mayur Khandeparkar and Shubham Kahite, claimed that the defamation suit would be maintainable only if filed before the high court bench in Aurangabad, where he lives, and should therefore be dismissed.

In September, on the basis of Somaiya’s complaint, the Mumbai police registered an FIR against Kamlesh Sutar, editor-in-chief of Lokshahi, and Anil Thatte for allegedly broadcasting information pertaining to the BJP leader’s personal life “without his consent”.

In the Monsoon session of the legislature, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry after Opposition leaders raised the matter as a case of sexual harassment of a woman. The crime branch was asked to conduct the investigation, which is still underway.

The Lokshahi channel went off air for 72 hours in September after it received a notice from the information and broadcasting ministry. It was back on air after securing an interim stay from the Delhi High Court.