Rs 100 cr defamation case: Shira records statement at city court
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 11: Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira on Friday asserted that his remarks in the Assembly on the ongoing demand for Winter Capital in Tura were misinterpreted and taken out of context by two YouTubers, prompting him to file defamation cases in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shillong.
Speaking to reporters after recording his statement at the court here, Shira said the accused had shown no remorse for their actions. “How can there be a compromise when there’s no regret for what they’ve done?” he asked.
It may be mentioned that on March 12, Shira initiated criminal defamation proceedings against Mikkanchi R. Sangma of Darangiri in Assam’s Goalpara district and Balsrang Marak of Thapa Darenchi in North Garo Hills.
According to him, the duo accused him of opposing the demand to declare Tura as the winter capital of Meghalaya, based on a misrepresentation of his Assembly speech that was circulated on YouTube.
“I have filed criminal defamation cases against them because they went viral on YouTube, misrepresenting my speech in the Assembly,” the Deputy Speaker said.
He further stated that without fully understanding the context of his remarks, the YouTubers portrayed him as being against the interests of his own community and the proposal for Tura’s elevation as a winter capital.
“They have unfairly condemned me for allegedly not supporting the community,” he added.
Shira’s legal counsel, Sujit Dey, informed that the Deputy Speaker’s statement was recorded under Section 323 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. “The court will now examine his statement, and if satisfied that defamation has occurred, it will proceed with the case,” Dey said.
He also noted that the YouTubers’ actions had damaged Shira’s reputation and adversely affected his family.
“While everyone has the right to express their opinions on social platforms, it should not come at the cost of someone’s dignity or by spreading misinformation,” Dey said.
He also recalled that a defamation suit amounting to Rs 100 crore in damages has also been filed against each of the two individuals for allegedly distorting the Deputy Speaker’s remarks in the Assembly.