Congress minister Dharmani files defamation notice against 10 journalists for publishing BJP leader’s allegations

MANDI: Rajesh Dharmani, Congress MLA from Ghumarwin and the current Minister of TCP, Housing and Technical Education in the Himachal Pradesh government, has issued legal notices to 12 persons, including former BJP MLA Rajinder Garg, Gaurav Garg (partner at M/S MG Sky Adventures), and 10 mediapersons citing defamatory allegations and publishing of related news reports.

The notice, served through Advocate Piyush Verma from the High Court in Shimla, accuses the recipients of spreading false and malicious propaganda, tarnishing Dharmani’s reputation.

It demands an unconditional apology for allegations of bribery and corruption leveled against Dharmani, or face defamation charges amounting to Rs 5 crore.

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False Allegations and Defamation Claims

The legal action stems from accusations made by Rajinder Garg, former BJP MLA from Ghumarwin, during a press conference. The notice alleges that Garg falsely accused Dharmani of accepting bribes from Gaurav Garg in locations including Morni Hills, Chandigarh, and Ghumarwin.

Further, the accusations extended to claims that Dharmani received money from officers and contractors at the Ghumarwin Rest House, which Garg labeled as a “den of corruption.”

According to the notice, media outlets irresponsibly published and broadcast these allegations without verifying their accuracy. Specific headlines cited include, “Rajinder Garg Ne Takniki Shiksha Mantri Par Sadha Nishana” and “Garg Ne Mantri Par Lagaya Rishwat Lene Ka Arop”, which were broadcast on several digital channels and published in newspapers.

Legal Notice: Defamatory and Scandalous

In the legal notice, Dharmani’s lawyer argues that the allegations are entirely baseless, defamatory, and have caused significant damage to his client’s image and reputation. The notice reads, “The entire matter published and telecast is without an iota of truth, and not only false but scandalous, libellous, and defamatory.”

The notice also highlights the mental distress caused by the allegations, stating, “Such false and malicious propaganda has caused acute mental torture and harassment to my client for no valid reason whatsoever.” It further claims that the defamatory news items have negatively impacted Dharmani’s standing in the eyes of the public, including his family, friends, and associates.

Demands for Apology and Rs 5 Crore in Damages

The notice demands an immediate, unconditional apology from all those implicated, including media organisations, for the “undesirable and unwarranted” conduct of publishing false accusations. Should the apology not be tendered, Dharmani has threatened to initiate criminal proceedings under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and seek Rs 5 crore in damages for the harm caused to his reputation.

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“By falsely proclaiming that my client is involved in bribery and corruption, you have not only defamed him but knowingly harmed his goodwill with malafide intentions,” the notice asserts.

This legal move has put several media outlets and individuals under scrutiny for their roles in publishing and broadcasting the allegations. The notice also points out that Garg and the media houses acted with “positive knowledge” of the falsity of the claims, suggesting intentional defamation.

Repeated attempts to reach Rajesh Dharmani for comment went unanswered.