Court directive to Bittu on defamatory statements

A local court of Chandigarh has restrained Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu from issuing defamatory statements on social media platforms against Health Minister of Punjab Dr Balbir Singh.

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The court passed the order on a civil suit filed by Dr Balbir Singh.

In the suit, Dr Balbir Singh said Bittu had made some defamatory statements on social media using the YouTube platform of Google, accusing MLAs and ministers of the Punjab Government of carrying money of Punjab in their official vehicles and dumping it at the official residence of Chief Minister, Punjab, in New Delhi.

Counsel for Dr Balbir Singh prayed to the court to restrain Bittu from issuing defamatory statements.

He also prayed to issue directions to Bittu and Google to remove the defamatory statements from the social media platforms as the same had caused immense damage to his reputation.

After hearing the arguments, the court said that along with the suit, the plaintiff had placed on record the link of statements made by Bittu posted on the social media platform. In view of the averments made in the case, this court is of the considered opinion that the very purpose of filing the present suit will be defeated if no ad-interim injunction order is passed in favour of the plaintiff, at this stage. Accordingly, Bittu is hereby restrained from issuing the defamatory statements on social media platforms till further orders.

The court adjourned the hearing for April 16 while issuing notices to Bittu and other defendants.