A City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru has directed former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) supremo H.D.Devegowda to pay
damages of Rs.2 crore to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) Limited for the loss of reputation.
NICE had filed a case on his defamatory comments in an interview on a Kannada news channel in June, 2011.
The counsel for the company argued that the allegation made by Mr.Gowda about utilizing more land than required for implementation of the project was inaccurate.
The company had no role in deciding the quantity of land required for the project and the allegation therefore was false and made by the defendant without there being any documentary evidence, said the counsel.
Counsel for the company also contended that the project undertaken is approved by the
Government of Karnataka.
The High Court of Karnataka and the Supreme Court had even issued directions to the Government to take steps for implementation of the project which shows that there is no illegality and irregularities in the work.The company had claimed Rs 10 crore damages for the statement issued by Former PM.
The court said Mr Gowda had failed to substantiate his claim against the company made during the interview.
The order issued by judge Mallanagouda also restrained Mr.Gowda from making defamatory statements against the company in the media in future.
