Navi Mumbai court orders FIR against Bennett, Coleman & Co and Times of India

Navi Mumbai court orders FIR against Bennett, Coleman & Co and Times of India

Navi Mumbai sessions Court has ordered the Navi Mumbai Police to file FIR against Managing Director of Bennett, Coleman & Co, Editor-in-Chief of Times of India and Publisher of Times of India for publishing unsubstantial, communally provocative and malicious reports regarding Kandhamal Violene in Orissa.

Adv.Prashant Maggu for complainant Mr.Rajendra Diwate had filed the suit against Managing Director of Bennett, Coleman & Co, Editor-in-Chief of Times of India and Publisher of Times of India in Navi Mumbai court for publishing reports in the newspaper referring “Hindu Fundamentalists” ”Hindu militants” and other reports connecting particular faith with terrorism under sections 107,116,117,124(A), 153,153(A), 153(B), 505,505(2) of IPC and 13(2) of PCI.

Adv. Prashant Maggu produced the reports to court, published in TOI in which paper mentioned that while raping a woman in Kandhamal District of Orissa, miscreants shouted the slogan of “BHARAT MATA KI JAY”, which has no evidence at all.

In another report paper wrote that “70 Dalit Homes Torched in Kandhamal”,Adv Maggu pleaded in court that this type of reports in which there is reference of cast, has a tremendous potential to flare up communal tension and create communal divide in society.

In report published on 4^th October 2008 in TOI titled “HINDUTVA HELPS JIHAD” paper had maliciously referred religious faith in act of terror. For publishing such type of false, malicious and unsubstantial report Adv. Maggu demanded immediate and exemplary action against The Publisher so as to maintain communal harmony in the society.

Adv Prashant Maggu took strong objection on all such reports defaming religious faith and having potential of disturbing communal harmony.

Court took the matter very seriously and ordered Navi Mumbai Police to lodge FIR against The Company and The Paper for trying to disturb communal harmony.

Adv Prashant Maggu and complainant Rajendra Diwate expressed happiness over the court order and stressed that they will continue to fight against all ill practices followed in Newspapers

(For further details of the case contact Adv. Prashant Maggu-098215-10382)