Judicial Magistrate Tarunpreet Kaur of the Patiala House Court said that a prima facie case is made out that an ABP News article connecting Rai to conman Sanjay Rai Sherpuria alias Sanjay Prakash Rai is defamatory.
“In view of the above discussion, pre-summoning evidence led by the complainant [Pradeep Rai], documents brought on record and the submissions made, the present complaint stands allowed and the undersigned takes cognizance of offence under section 500 IPC. Let summons be issued to accused 1. Atideb Sarkar (Chief Editor & Publisher, ABP), 2. Aveek Sarkar (Vice Chairman & Editor Emeritus, ABP Group), 3. Avinash Pandey (CEO, ABP), 4. ABP News on filing of PF within 15 days from today, for offence under section 500 IPC, for the NDOH (Next Date of Hearing),” the Court ordered.
Source: Barandbench
