Hashim Qureshi’s defamation case: Court gives final chance to defendants to present in person

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 31-Aug-2015

In a defamation suit filed by Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party Chairman, Hashim Qureshi against R. K. Yadav, former RAW officer and author of the book, 'Mission R&AW', and the publisher of the book, Court of Additional District and Sessions judge, Srinagar Saturday directed the author to remain personally present on the next date of hearing.According to a statement issued to KNS, the counsel for both the parties was present. Hashim Qureshi's counsel argued before court that "Honourable court has already ordered three times that defendant must present in the court, Court Orders were not obeyed nor respected."The Presiding officer of Third Additional District and Session court today gave a final chance to the defendants to be present in person during the next hearing. The case has been put up on 18 September for further Proceedings. 

The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party, Hashim Qureshi had decided to file a legal suit in October of last year against R. K. Yadav, a former RAW officer and author of the book, 'Mission R&AW' and against Suman Lata of Manas Publications which has published the said book. The former RAW official, in his book ‘Mission R&AW’ in chapter 8 starting from Page 184 under the caption “Liberation of Bangladesh”, at Page 227 under the Sub-title, “Hijacking of Fokker Friendship Plane of Indian Airlines by Hashim Qureshi,” referred to an incident of Hijacking of Fokker Friendship Plane of Indian Airlines, and in which he made in writing defamatory and baseless statements and accusations against the Chairman of JKDLP.While dismissing the content regarding Ganga hijacking, Hashim Qureshi had taken a serious note of the unfounded statement and through his counsel; Advocate Riyaz Jan had filed a defamation suit and issued a legal notice to the author and the Publisher. 

The Legal Notice dated 24.08.2014 was served to the Author and the Publisher with a demand in writing calling upon them to withdraw every defamatory statement made and publish a full and unqualified apology in the next three consecutive issues of leading National News Papers at a prominent place within a period of one week from the date of receipt of the Legal Notice and in default of such an apology to pay damages quantified in the sum of Rs.5.00 Crores to recompensate the harm caused to the reputation, good name and esteem of the Chairman of JKDLP, Hashim Qureshi.(KNS)