RSS sues Kesri

NEW DELHI, February 18: Taking cognizance of a petition filed by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, a city court today fixed February 24...

NEW DELHI, February 18: Taking cognizance of a petition filed by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh RSS, a city court today fixed February 24 for recording of pre-summoning evidence against the All India Congress Committee president Sitaram Kesri for accusing it of being behind the Coimbatore blasts.

While taking cognizance on an 11-page criminal defamation complaint filed by RSS Prant Sanghchalak Satya Narain Bansal, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Prem Kumar asked petitioner8217;s counsel Alok Kumar and Rajesh Gogna to produce all witnesses and evidence before the court on the next date for recording of evidence.

The serial blasts, which rocked Coimbatore over last weekend, have so far claimed 60 lives and injured over 200 people, including women and children. One of the explosions took place within 100 metres of the place where BJP president L K Advani was scheduled to address an election rally.Seeking court direction to the respondents which include, besides Kesri, editors and publisher of The Times ofIndia and Nav Bharat Times and also Director, Doordarshan under Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, the complaint was filed this afternoon in a jam-packed courtroom at the Tis Hazari premises.

Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC provide that any person, whoever, by words spoken or published, makes any imputation concerning any person with an intention to harm his reputation can be imprisoned for a maximum period of two years if the charge is proved.

Alleging that 8220;Kesri has intentionally, deliberately and knowingly given the statement with the motive of damaging/ harming the reputation of the RSS and its office-bearers,8221; the petitioner said that 8220;the accused have no reason or justification for making and publishing such statement.8221;

8220;The RSS,8221; the petitioner said, 8220;having about 35,000 number of units/shakhas and over 10 lakh members spread all over the country, is a nationalist and patriotic organisation which inculcates the spirits of nationalism and character building in itsmembers through shakhas.8221;

Earlier, arguing for the petitioner, its counsels contended that while addressing a press conference on February 15, Kesri had blamed the RSS for bomb explosions as it RSS was capable of doing anything to communalise the elections and said in visphotton main RSS ka haath ho sakta hai. The counsels also singled out Kesri8217;s statement blaming the RSS for Mahatama Gandhi8217;s assassination.

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When the court also wanted to know the venue of the press conference and whether the petitioner was present in person8217;, Gogna submitted: 8220;The petitioner was not present at the press conference personally. He is its prant sanghchalak and received great respect and salutations from all sections of society and widely respected for his long association with the RSS.8221;

The RSS counsel further contended that Kesri8217;s statement caused 8220;irreparable8221; harm.