Saturday, May 4

BJD MP Pinaki Misra Files Defamation Suit Against Jai Anant Dehadrai

Edited by Aishwarya Krishnan
BJD MP Pinaki Misra Files Defamation Suit Against Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai In Delhi High Court (image-X/OfPinkai and jai_a_dehadrai)

Pinaki Misra, a member of parliament from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) representing Odisha’s Puri constituency, has taken legal action against advocate Jai Anani Dehadrai for alleged defamation. The suit follows Dehadrai’s accusations of corruption and derogatory remarks against Misra, including labeling him as “Canning Lane,” “Odia Babu,” and “Dalal of Puri.”

In response to these allegations, Misra has filed a defamation suit, seeking an apology from Dehadrai and damages. The suit also requests court directions to restrain Dehadrai from making further defamatory statements and to remove defamatory content posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as on news platforms like PTI and ANI.

The legal action stems from Dehadrai’s allegations against Misra, linking him to bribery and corruption, particularly in association with TMC leader Mahua Moitra. The suit mentions Misra’s acquaintance with Dehadrai through common social circles and limited interactions, primarily due to his friendship with Moitra, Dehadrai’s former partner.

The suit outlines how Dehadrai’s accusations escalated, including tweets on X where Misra was repeatedly referred to using pseudonyms including “Canning Lane” and “Oriya/Odia Babu” and accused of criminal activities. Allegations in a CBI complaint against Misra regarding a Rs 2 crore amount purportedly intended for purchasing furniture for Moitra were also highlighted in the suit.

Furthermore, the suit points out Dehadrai’s creation of pseudonymous accounts on social media platforms, where he continued to post defamatory content targeting Misra under aliases like “Chandrawami Pinaki Moitra” and “Ahmed Ansari.”

Reacting to the case, Dehadrai tweeted, “Mr. Pinaki Misra MP has filed a defamation suit against me in the Delhi High Court – seeking an injunction to permanently silence me. I welcome it, but I shall not stop fighting the good fight. Satyameva Jayate.”

Notably, this legal action follows a similar defamation case filed by Mahua Moitra against Dehadrai, where interim relief to Moitra was denied by the High Court. In turn, Dehadrai has also initiated a defamation case against Moitra, with the High Court currently reviewing the matter.