BJP Serves Rs 100-Crore Defamation Notice on Omar Over 'MLA Poaching' Charge

Amid a fierce political slugfest over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's allegation that the BJP was attempting to topple the National Conference (NC)-led government by offering Rs 30 crore each to some of the ruling party's MLAs, the saffron party has formally served a legal notice on him for making what it described as "false, baseless and defamatory" allegations.

The notice, issued by Advocate Parimoksh Seth of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Paul Sharma, demands a written withdrawal of the allegations and an unconditional public apology within seven days.

According to the notice, Abdullah had alleged that a BJP office-bearer had approached National Conference MLAs from the Jammu region with offers ranging between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore, along with a ministerial berth and restoration of statehood, as inducements to switch sides. The chief minister had further alleged that a senior BJP functionary, who is also a lawyer practising in the Supreme Court, had offered bribes to NC legislators.

The BJP stated that the allegations were widely reported across print, electronic and social media platforms and were "entirely untrue, malicious and without any factual basis".

"The said statement issued by you has seriously harmed my client's reputation, dignity and standing in society and has caused immense damage to the image of my client in public," the notice reads.

The notice states that such actions amount to defamation and are actionable under both civil and criminal law. It warns that failure to comply would compel the BJP to initiate appropriate legal proceedings, including a civil suit seeking damages of Rs 100 crore for defamation, besides criminal proceedings.