Cash-for-defection claim: BJP serves defamation notice to Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jul 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday served a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his claims that a BJP functionary, who is practising as lawyer in the Supreme Court, offered Rs 20–30 crore to one of his MLAs to switch sides.
The notice, issued by advocate Parimoksh Seth on behalf of Sat Paul Sharma, President of the Jammu & Kashmir unit of BJP, describes Omar Abdullah’s May statement-that a BJP office-bearer had approached his MLA with an offer of Rs 20–30 crore to defect-as false, baseless, and defamatory.
“That the said allegations made by you are entirely untrue, malicious, and without any factual basis. The statement issued by you has seriously harmed my client’s reputation, dignity, and standing in society, and has caused immense damage to his public image,” the notice reads.
The legal notice demands that Omar Abdullah withdraw his allegations in writing and issue an unconditional public apology within seven days. It also directs him to refrain from publishing or circulating any further defamatory material about the BJP and to immediately cease and desist from making or repeating any false or defamatory statements against the party.
“In the event of your failure to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, my client shall be constrained to initiate appropriate civil as well as criminal proceedings against you before the competent court, including but not limited to damages to the tune of Rs100 crore for defamation, and filing of criminal prosecution for defamation, along with any other remedies available under law, entirely at your own risk and responsibility as to costs and consequences,” the notice warns.
On July 11, the Chief Minister said that the BJP was attempting to topple his government, and one of its office-bearers had approached a party MLA, offering him Rs 20–30 crore to side with the BJP. (KNO)