Three convicted for defaming Heggade

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 06, 2014: The III Judicial Magistrate First Class court here on Thursday sentenced B.V. Seetaram, journalist and Chairman of Chitra Publications, his wife, Rohini, the Administrative Director of the publications, and Shivaprasad, the editor, to six months imprisonment for publishing articles defaming the Dharmadhikari of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala D. Veerendra Heggade. The case pertains to a series of articles published in Karavali Ale, a Kannada newspaper of Chitra Publications, between October 9, 2004 and October 16, 2004.

In his five separate private complaints, Mr. Heggade alleged that the articles had references that lowered his reputation in society and also shook religious feelings. Mr. Heggade accused Mr. Seetaram and others of defaming him.

In separate judgments in five cases, Magistrate Undi Manjula Shivappa found Mr. Seetaram, Ms. Rohini and Mr. Shivaprasad guilty and said that the onus lies on them not to publish articles that are not based on facts.

Conviction

The magistrate convicted them under Sections 500, 501 and 502 of the Indian Penal Code and along with six months imprisonment they were also fined Rs. 9,000 each.

Reacting to the judgement, Mr. Seetaram said the magistrate has allowed their application and suspended the sentence till an order was passed by the Session’s court where they are filing an appeal. They will be raising before the Session’s court the lower court allowing power of attorney holder of the complainant to file a case of criminal defamation.


Courtesy: The hindu