UNION OF INDIA Vs. B S SIDHU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) FACTS leading to this appeal are that the present respondent, Dr. B.S. Sidhu, who was complainant before the State Commission, Haryana, is publishing a daily newspaper under the name and style 'Hak Parast' from Kaithal, District Kurukshetra. He was availing the facilities of United News of India (for short U.N.I.) for receiving fresh news daily and for that purpose had installed a teleprinter machine on due payment to them and to the Post and Telegraph Department. According to the relevant agreement with the said Department it was the latter's duty to keep the teleprinter circuit and its line in running condition from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

(2.) THE trouble between the parties is alleged to have originated on 20th July, 1989 when a news item was published in newspaper Hak Parast highlighting a procession taken out by the Telephone Consumers of Kaithal against the Sub Divisional Officer and Junior Engineer of the place of the said Department wherein slogans against corruption in the Department were raised along with demands to maintain telephone services in proper condition.

(3.) IT is further the case of the complainant that due to the fault in the Teleprinter lines he suffered financial loss amounting to Rs. 82,928/- the details of which have been given by him as follows: