HC quashes proceedings in defamation case against Mohiniyattom dancers
A Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath quashed the case following a petition filed by the two dancers. Ms. Satyabhama had alleged that Mr. Ramakrishnan recorded a phone conversation he had with her, and edited and published it in a different media.
The dancers edited and posted it on social media platforms, an act punishable under Sections 500 (punishment for defamation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, she contended.
Refuting this, the dancers contended that they cannot be prosecuted since the alleged defamatory statements had not been reproduced in the complaint, nor did the petitioners produce a copy of the publication that contained the alleged defamatory statements. Ms. Satyabhama's counsel said the publication could be produced during trial.
The issue pertained to a dance contest hosted in Abu Dhabi by a Malayali association, where Ms. Satyabhama was a judge. Contestants whom Mr. Ramakrishnan had trained did not win any prize, after which he telephoned her and questioned her on the propriety of her decision.
She reportedly told him that many of the 'mudras' of the contestants were wrong and that even experienced dance teachers committed mistakes. She approached the court, stating that the duo recorded the conversation and posted it on social media, portraying it as a statement against her dance 'gurus'.
Since the complainant had failed to produce the alleged defamatory publication, the offence under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code cannot be attracted against the petitioners. Taking these into account, the court quashed further proceedings in the case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab DGP reviews anti-drug campaign, security ahead of I-Day
Chandigarh, Punjab Police chief on Tuesday chaired a state-level meeting with officers to review the ongoing anti-drug campaign, the overall law and order situation, and the internal security landscape across the state. Punjab DGP reviews anti-drug campaign, security ahead of I-Day Director General of Police Punjab, Gaurav Yadav held meetings with all range inspector generals of police, commissioners of police, and senior superintendents of police. Special DGP Arpit Shukla, Special DGP Praveen Kumar Sinha, ADGP Anti-Narcotics Task Force Nilabh Kishore, ADGP Anti-Gangster Task Force Promod Ban, and ADGP Counter-Intelligence Amit Prasad were also present in the meeting. During the meeting, senior officers briefed the field officers on critical issues such as cross-border drug trafficking, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, organised crime networks, and key law and order concerns. "We also reviewed the progress of the state-wide anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', launched on March 1, 2025, and discussed strategic interventions to strengthen this ongoing war against drugs," said DGP Yadav in a statement. He asserted that the ANTF's dual approach, aggressive enforcement on the ground and robust, community-led prevention, would create a drug-free and secure Punjab. Sharing the outcome of the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, he said that the Punjab Police has registered 15,671 FIRs and arrested 24,639 drug smugglers since March 1. Police have recovered 1,020 kg of heroin, 330 kg of opium, 21 tonnes of poppy husk, 14 kg of charas, 377 kg of ganja, 3.3 kg of cocaine, 31.74 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and ₹12.25 crores cash from their possession. During the meeting, the DGP also reviewed the state-wide preparedness for upcoming Independence Day celebrations and directed all field units to remain on high alert and ensure foolproof security arrangements. "Security arrangements were reviewed and suitable instructions have been given to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensifying domination operations and other preventive and detective measures ahead of forthcoming Independence Day celebrations," Yadav said. He also directed police officers to conduct a manpower audit of all police establishments and pull out police personnel from non-core duties to ensure a visible police presence, especially in crowded places. He also directed the district police chiefs to increase police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions and ensure the checking of a maximum number of vehicles. The DGP said apart from the ongoing decisive war against drugs, action against organised crime, gangsters, and Pak-sponsored terror activities has been the Punjab Police's topmost priority and perpetrators in all the major cases have been identified. Meanwhile, police conducted a cordon and search operation at and around all the district and sub-divisional courts across the state to ensure foolproof security arrangements at all the judicial complexes. The checking was conducted simultaneously in all the districts of the state. Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that the police officers were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient numbers of police teams to carry out checking under the supervision of Superintendent of Police rank officers. He said police officers were also asked to conduct checks of all suspicious persons in and around the court complex, besides carrying out checks of all the vehicles parked around the complex by using the Vahan app. He said police teams were also asked to make sure that door frame metal detectors and CCTV cameras installed at the premises of judicial complexes are functioning. Shukla said police teams have frisked as many as 694 suspicious people found roaming around the court complexes. As many as 1,160 vehicles stationed at different parking places around the court premises were also checked, during which police teams issued 129 challans and impounded four vehicles. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
2 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Non-lowering of national flag after sunset in itself is not an offence, says Kerala HC
The mere act of not lowering the national flag after the sunset in itself is not an offence, unless there is a deliberate action with the intention of insulting the national honour or showing disrespect to the flag, the Kerala High Court has stated. It went on to quash criminal proceedings initiated against the Secretary of the Angamaly municipality by the police and the trial court for allegedly not lowering the flag at the municipal office for almost two days after the Independence Day celebration in 2015. He had been charged under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002 after the Angamaly police initiated suo motu action. A Bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath said that a mere lapse or inaction by a person in not lowering the national flag after sunset cannot be said to be an act of gross affront or indignity, or insult to the flag. The provisions of the Act of 1971 cannot be attracted unless there is a deliberate action with an intention to insult the national honour or show disrespect to the flag. The Municipal Secretary contended that the allegations against him, even if taken at their face value and accepted in their entirety, do not prima facie constitute any offence or make out a case against him.
The Hindu
32 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Man sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for setting nephew ablaze
The Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court on Tuesday sentenced a 63-year-old man to 20 years and seven months of rigorous imprisonment for setting his 11-year-old nephew ablaze over a false accusation of theft in 2014. Additional Sessions Judge Shibu M.P. who found the accused, George Titus of Kulathoor, guilty of the crime also slapped a fine of ₹1,55,500. He was found guilty for crimes under Section 307 (attempt to murder), 326A (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, etc), 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code, and provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2020. According to the prosecution led by Special Public Prosecutor Ajith Prasad J.K., the incident occurred on May 22, 2014 under the Pozhiyoor police station limits. Hands tied George, a cousin of the survivor's mother, falsely accused the then Class VI student of stealing money from a neighbour. He then tied the hands of the child, dragged him to the kitchen, poured kerosene on him, and set him on fire. The child sustained grievous burns and was hospitalised for several months during which he underwent multiple surgeries. The court observed that the assault resulted in permanent disfigurement and disability for the child. The survivor, now a young adult, suffers from fused fingers, arms fused to the shoulders, and neck fused to the chest, rendering him unable to lift his head. Considering the brutality of the act and the lifelong suffering inflicted upon the survivor, the court ruled that the convict did not deserve any leniency in sentencing. The prosecution presented 12 witnesses and produced 18 exhibits.
