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Journalism of Courage
A local court has ordered an inquiry on an application filed by Gujarat University Vice Chancellor seeking penal action against State Congress President Arjun Modhwadia for allegedly making defamatory remarks against him and his family.
“After verifying the complaint a court inquiry under Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is hereby ordered and complainant has been asked to remain present on October 31,2012,” said Metropolitan Magistrate P T Patel in his order.
Professor Aadesh Pal,who was on August 31 this year,appointed as Vice Chancellor of the Gujarat University,has sought penal actions against Modhwadia for the content of his letter to State Chief Minister Narendra Modi,which was published in a local daily on September 10.
The defamation suit was filed against the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief,on September 29 following which the court directed an investigation into the case on the same day.
“Based on the published reports,Modhwadia,in his letter,has described me as “characterless and drunkard”. He had also made baseless and derogatory remarks against my family members too,” said Pal in his application.
“Its really painful to know that a leader like Modhwadia who is very senior and honourable member of a national party,can stoop to such a low level and resort to this type of character assassination with political motive,” he complained.
In the letter,as published in the media,Modhwadia had objected the appointment of Pal as VC on various grounds which also include some allegations about his past personal and marriage life.
Pal,a Professor and head of English Department at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University,Patan was short listed by government appointed search committee.
In his complaint,Pal has cited his wife,son,daughter-in-law and all three members of the search committee as witnesses.
Following the recommendation of the search committee,the state government had on August 31 issued a notification appointing Professor Pal as VC,which has been vociferously opposed by members of University Syndicate and Senate aligned to the Congress and some student unions too.
