NEWS ORGANISATION STANDS BY ITS REPORT BASED ON TRUTH

KARACHI: Additional District and Sessions' Judge III, Karachi Central Gahanwar Khan Gadehi dismissed case filed by Malik Mehdi Muhammad Somani Chairman, United Panel Karimabad Ismailia Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited against journalist Ali Jan and others under session Cr.PC-22-A and 22-B. The Case was filed under Criminal Petition No.1193/2023.

The Order said the perusal of record shows that the news published in Daily National Courier was a report of journalist against which the proposed accused or the newspaper may be provided for civil wrong as the same does not attract criminal liability against the proposed accused, whereas the applicant has not disclosed the specific day, date or time for issuing alleged threats or demanding alleged illegal gratification of “Bhatta” by the proposed accused on the contrary it is admitted fact that the proposed accused is a journalist and residing in the society whereas maintenance receipts in respect of his house shows that he even paid maintenance of his house to the society, hence it does not prima facie attract confidence that a person who is paying maintenance of his house to society will be demanding ‘Bhatta” from the Chairman of said Society. In the above circumstances I am of not inclined to issue directions to SHO concerned to lodge FIR against the proposed accused. However, the SHO Azizabad is directed to ensure that no party shall take law in their hands.

It may be mentioned here that Mehdi Muhammad Somani, Imran Arwan Panjwani, Lubna Zeeshan and their associates allegedly had launched a fake campaign on social media and Whatsapp groups against Editor-in-Chief and reporter of Daily National Courier and all-out efforts were made to defame them and file false cases.

Mr. Sajid Rajput advocate appeared for the applicant while Miss. Uzma Zahid, advocate for the proposed accused in addition to ADPP for the state.

Mr. Sajid Rajput, while praying directions to SHO police station Azizabad Karachi for lodging of FIR of applicant against proposed accused Ali Jan, submitted that the proposed accused is journalist and working as reporter of Daily National Courier, he has demanded illegal gratification viz. Rs.1,50,000/- per month from the applicant who is an elected Chairman of "Karimabad Ismaili Multipurpose Co-Operative Society Karachi". It is contended that the said reporter i.e. the proposed accused has threatened the applicant if the demanded amount is not paid he will publish false reports in the said Newspaper. Learned counsel further submitted that said proposed accused has also reported and got published a false news against the applicant in said newspaper published on 31.05.2023. It was further contended that said proposed accused has also issued threats of killing if his demand is not fulfilled.

On the contrary learned counsel for proposed accused vehemently opposed the application in hand and submitted that neither threats were issued nor any illegal gratification or "Bhatta" has been demanded from applicant by the proposed accused. In fact the proposed accused on account of firing in the society went for reporting along with his team but the applicant issued threats to him and his team, such matter was reported to police.

Miss. Uzma Zahid, advocate further submitted that the Chief Editor of Daily National Courier also wrote a letter regarding the news published on 31.05.2023 and requested him to narrate his point of view but instead threats were issued by applicant. It is contended that the proposed accused is resident of the society and is regularly paying maintenance, hence allegations regarding "Bhatta" of not believable.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 21 2023

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