Before reading going ahead... please read this article
Courtesy: www.thenewsminute.com
"I have 211 cases against me' - Nakkeeran Gopal on his battle with criminal defamation"
http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/i-have-211-cases-against-me-nakkeeran-gopal-his-battle-criminal-defamation
I just read this story and realized that Nakkeeran has done a lot in terms of fighting long legal battles to ensure freedom of press in this country&particularly in a state like Tamil Nadu where defamation cases&criminal defamation cases are filed at the drop of a hat by politicians. Kudos to Mr.Gopal.
Nakkeeran Gopal is also one of the petitioners who has challenged defamation laws 499&500 IPC in the SC along with Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal and Subramanian Swamy.
What i am still unable to understand is...While Nakkeeran is fighting a case against defamation and wanted it to be scrapped. Nakkeeran's Associate Editor has filed a criminal defamation case against me for something that was reported by all the media houses in the country during the 2G raids. (Not getting into specifics) The case was filed in the year 2010 and its still going on.
When i read this article i completely understand the pain and trauma that a journalist undergoes when there is a defamation case against him or her...
In Mr.Gopal's words : The legal battles are expensive, both in terms of time and money. “In most cases, there is a court hearing or summons every 15 days or a month. Lawyers' fees, court fees, all have to be paid. Each time reporters from districts have to travel to other courts.
HOW TRUE...I am undergoing the same. I have been spending my hard earned money for this case, I have to seek permission from my office to appear in the court on a busy news day, wait for long hours, pay advocate fees, spend money for court documents and etc...for the past 5 years i have been doing all that&i cant agree more with you on this.
I am not questioning you double standards here sir...But as a fellow journalist I want to extend my support and no doubt this draconian law must GO. Because freedom of press & freedom of expression is something that needs to be protected at any cost.
I wish you all the very best sir...
If you win... it will be a very big day for me as well :) :) :)
