MLA Dilip Kumar Paul takes legal action against news channel

Special Correspondent

Silchar: Silchar MLA Dilip Kumar Paul has served show cause notice on a Guwahati based news channel through his lawyer Asamanja Biswas for telecasting false and fabricated news items consecutively for three days on March 23, 24 and 25, 2019 involving him. He was projected as a mastermind of government level mega syndicate active in Barak Valley under the name of Chief Minister of Assam. It was alleged that the syndicate was involved in illegal transportation of coal, fertilizer and betel nut and that the MLA in question was operating it through whatsapp messages.

At a press-meet convened at his residence on Wednesday, Dilip Kumar Paul, visibly shocked and dismayed, said during the telecast, his photograph was intentionally showed, thereby implying he was involved in such illegal and anti-people works. The MLA added the interviews of two fake persons without any identity were also telecast who made concocted and exaggerated allegations against him to lend credence to the fabricated news items.

Dilip Kumar Paul said publication of such malicious news items has been deliberately done in connivance with some vested circle just to defame and malign him in public eyes. He reminded as per the norms of journalism as laid down by the Press Council of India, before publication of such defamatory news items, the version of the person concerned ought to have been obtained which was not done. His reputation as a public leader has been tarnished not only in Barak Valley but also across Brahmaputra. Serving the show cause notice on the news channel, Dilip Kumar Paul has sought suitable amends by way of tendering unconditional apologies in writing by the channel within 7 days from the date of receipt of the notice. He has also demanded telecasting of the factum of apologies at least three times on three consecutive days during prime times. Failure to do so by the news channel, he said there would be no alternative left for him than to seek redressal of his grievance through appropriate legal forum.

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