By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has filed a criminal case and a defamation suit against Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) president Agnes Kharshiing and a publisher of an English daily.
The case was filed against Kharshiing and the publisher of a daily for defaming the MUDA which is in the process of acquiring land for New Shillong Township (NST) in order to de-congest Shillong city.
As per the petition, a news item was published in the daily which claimed that the NST was planned by few unscrupulous people in governance to take away tribal land in order to bring more influx. The complaint alleged that the news item has badly damaged the image of those who sincerely work for for development of the State.
MUDA has claimed Rs five crore along with consequential relief for the defamatory news item.
The defamation case has been filed in the court of Assistant District Judge while the criminal case under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code has been filed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
It may be mentioned that Kharshiing has been very vocal in accusing Government officials of corruption and illegally occupying land in New Shillong Township for developmental projects.
The petition also says that 77 per cent of the acquired land in New Shillong Township has been allotted to different Central and state Government departments and organizations for the welfare of the general people.
MUDA will be represented in the case by its Secretary T Lyngwa.
