Karnataka High Court Refuses To Quash Kannada Actor Sudeep's Defamation Complaint Against NM Suresh

The Karnataka High Court has refused to quash a defamation complaint filed by Kannada Actor Sudeep S against N M Suresh who is the office bearer of the Kannada Film Producers Association and Secretary of the Film Chamber of Commerce for allegedly making false acquisitions against Sudeep.

A single judge bench of Justice S Vishwajith Shetty dismissed the petition filed by Suresh seeking to quash the proceedings pending before the trial court under sections 499 and 500 of IPC.

The court said “Since the complaint as well as the sworn statement contain specific allegations against petitioner which according to the complainant are defamatory and have caused dent to his image and reputation in the Society, prima facie case is made out against the accused. Therefore, no illegality or irregularity can be found in the order of issuing summons by the Trial Judge.”

The complainant had submitted specific allegations against both the accused with regard to the statements made by them defaming the complainant, which allegedly caused a dent on his image and reputation.

It was said that the accused in a press conference made statements against him which were defamatory in nature. The complainant also stated that his friends and well-wishers have called him subsequently and have enquired with regard to the correctness of the statement made by the petitioner and submitted that such enquiry has affected his standing and reputation in society.

Thereafter it is stated that accused Nos.1 and 2 have published messages in social media and they have held protests against him.

The petitioner claimed that the dispute is only between the complainant and respondent No.1 and the petitioner has been falsely implicated merely for the reason that he is the office bearer of the Kannada Film Producers Association and Secretary of Film Chamber of Commerce.

He submitted that there is no material to proceed against him and that the Trial Court without appreciating this aspect of the matter has erred in issuing a summons to him.

Following this the court said, “The Trial Court having found that complainant has made out a prima facie case to proceed against the accused persons for the alleged offences has issued summons to both the accused and after receipt of summons, the petitioner has appeared before the Trial Court and was enlarged on bail.”

Accordingly, it held that no illegality or irregularity was found in the order of issuing summons by the Trial Judge and dismissed the plea. 

Appearance: Advocate Prashanthi A L for Petitioner

HCGP Rangaswamy R

Citation No: 2024 LiveLaw (Kar) 142

Case Title: N M Suresh AND Sudeep S

Case No: Writ Petition 3641 OF 2024

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