Dhumal's defamation case against Amarinder deferred to April 7

Shimla, Feb 24 (UNI) A local court here today adjourned the hearing in the defamation case, filed by former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal against Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and senior Congress leader Moti Lal Vora, to April 7 this year after the Congress leaders sought exemption from personal appearance in the court.

The court, in its order, exempted the two from appearing in person before the court today only, while posting the matter for April 7.

Appearing for Mr Singh and Mr Vora, Punjab Advocate General R S Cheema sought exemption from the personal appearance for both the Congress leaders on security and other reasons.

In view of the Supreme Court's recent judgment, it was not necessary for the person to remain personally present before the court for recording his statement under Section 313 of the CrPC and this could also be done through his lawyer too, he said.

However, this was opposed by the former Chief Minister's lawyer Satya Pal Jain, who said once the court had directed both the Congress leaders to present themselves before it to record their statements, they should not be granted any further exemption.

Once the court has directed them to appear in person, they are supposed to appear and were not entitled for seeking exemption now, Mr Jain said adding that the leaders were seeking exemption for delaying the verdict in the case.

Earlier, the court recorded the former Chief Minister's statement in another similar defamation case against Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma here.

Prof Dhumal said Mr Sharma had made vile and false allegations against him at a press conference at Barog on February 3, 2003 with a view to mislead the people and win the 2003 assembly elections, despite knowing that the allegations were false.

Mr Dhumal requested the court to convict Mr Sharma under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC for criminal defamation.

The court later deferred Mr Dhumal's cross-examination to April 7 following a request from the Minister's counsel.

UNI