New Delhi (India), February 24: The Rouse Avenue court on Monday issued a notice to BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma in a defamation case filed by BJP MP Raju Bista from Darjeeling. The case arises from allegations made by Sharma, who claimed that Bista was involved in the Jal Jeevan Mission scam.
In a press conference held on April 24, 2024, in Darjeeling, Bishnu Sharma accused Raju Bista of being part of a scam related to the Jal Jeevan Mission, alleging that Bista, as a member of the Jal Jeevan Mission Planning and Monitoring Committee, had undue influence over the execution of the project. Sharma further claimed that the entire Jal Jeevan Mission project in Darjeeling was allocated under dubious circumstances, with work orders issued to Surya India Private Limited instead of following standard protocols.
Sharma also alleged that Surya India Ltd., which reportedly secured tenders worth Rs. 12 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission, was affiliated with Surya Roshni Ltd., where Bista serves as the Managing Director. He suggested that Surya India Ltd. was a shell company for Surya Roshni Ltd., casting doubts on the legitimacy of the work awarded.
The complaint filed by MP Raju Bista contends that the statements made by Sharma were false and politically motivated, especially given the timing of the allegations just before elections. Bista argued that these claims were intended to damage his reputation and filed a defamation suit against Sharma.
On Monday, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal issued a pre-summoning notice to MLA Bishnu Sharma and scheduled a hearing for pre-summoning evidence on March 10, 2024. The court will then decide whether to issue summons for further proceedings.
Advocates Varun Jain, Akhilesh Singh Rawat, Rohini Rana, and Arun Sharma represented Raju Bista in the case.