RADHESHYAM Vs. EKNATH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) JUDGMENT :- This appeal is filed by original defendant 1 challenging the judgment and decree dt. 22-9-1977 passed by the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Bhandara decreeing the claim of the original plaintiff for Rs. 3100/-on account of damages for defamation against him with proportionate costs of the suit.

(2.) The plaintiff at relevant times was Block Development Officer at Tirora. The defendant 1 is the proprietor, Editor, Printer and Publisher of Local Marathi Weekly 'Tirora Times' published from Tirora. The defendant 2 is an agriculturist. The defendant 3 was the Chairman, Panchayat Samiti, Tirora. The defendant 1 published in his said newspaper articles making serious allegations and imputations against the plaintiff on 12-5-1971, 26-5-1971, 2-6-1971, 16-6-1971, 23-6-71, 30-6-1971, 14-7-1971, 28-7-1971 and 4-8-1971. The plaintiff served the defendants with registered notice dt. 11-12-1971 calling upon them to tender apology and pay damages of Rs. 10,000/- for defamation.

(3.) The defendants 2 and 3 vide their written statement Exh.15 and Exh.16 submitted that they are not at all concerned with publications aforesaid and hence plaintiffs suit is false against them for which they claimed compensatory costs.