Mumbai, June 24: A suit has been filed against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and a reporter of the party mouthpiece `Dopahar Ka Saamna' alleging that fodder scam money was used to buy property in Mumbai.The Sena paper in a report published on May 27 said that Yadav owned 28 flats in Navi Mumbai, two farm houses in Lonavla and was preparing to purchasing more property with the fodder scam money.In a lengthy statement on the suit, Thackeray said that he would be clarifying the contents of the report with the editor of `Dopahar Ka Saamna', MP Sanjay Nirupam. Unaware of what the report written by Prem Shukla actually said, the Sena chief said that he would be asking the editor to cross check the contents. ``If it is found to be true, then we shall face the suit. If not, an immediate clarification will be made in the newspaper,'' he said in his statement.Thackeray, while owning moral responsibility for the report said that he believed his reporters cross checked the details before filing any story. ``Despite this, however, there seems to be an escalation of defamation suits filed in courts of law, by anyone and everyone,'' he noted. He added that he had given complete freedom to his editors in deciding the editorial contents and did not interfere in any matter.In Patna, meanwhile, the chief judicial magistrate's court admitted the suit on Monday. It was filed by Janata Dal legislator Ram Jiwan Prasad of Sitamarhi. Counsel for the petitioner Rajniti Prasad submitted that the accused, Thackeray, as editor, printer and publisher of ``Saamna'' and its reporter Prem Shukla had ``intentionally and with premeditated designs'' published the article.The petition charged the accused under sections 500, 501 and 502 of the IPC read with section 34. The complainant submitted that the news item gave a `shocking blow' to the admirers of Laloo Prasad Yadav who also happens to be the chief of a national political party.The article alleged that Yadav was preparing to purchase two farm houses at Lonavala with the fodder scam money.The suit charged that the news was absolutely without any foundation and was a figment of imagination of the reporter. It was published in the newspaper without being verified, authenticated or cross checked.The suit claimed that Yadav did not own any such property in Navi Mumbai or Lonavala. No such flats or property were ever purchased by Yadav in the name of his wife or any of his relations.The petition stated that it was absolutely false to say that CBI investigation found any such property during the course of their probe in the fodder scam.The complainant submitted that he himself went to the Chief Minister and inquired about the matter and also verified the contents of news item from all angles and was convinced that it was published to intentionally defame the reputation, career and good will of Yadav.
