Ex-MP demands public apology, files defamation suit against author for ‘damaging claims' in book

Indian Express

21-06-2025

As political parties gear up for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a legal controversy has emerged involving author Mrityunjay Sharma and former MP Sadhu Yadav.
Sharma, who wrote the book 'Broken Promises', has received a `5 crore defamation notice from Sadhu Yadav, the brother-in-law of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. The notice, served by a law firm on behalf of Yadav on June 18, accused Sharma of making damaging claims in his book and recent podcast interviews. It demanded a public apology and withdrawal of certain references made in the book and online interviews.
On Saturday, Sharma told The Indian Express that the book, released last year, is entirely based on verifiable sources and not personal opinions. He said, 'I'm definitely not going to apologise for something that's based on facts and evidence. If they are not ashamed of doing these things, why should I be ashamed of writing about them?'
'Every line is referenced. There's no imagination or speculation involved,' he said.
'Two days ago, I received the legal notice. It asked me to apologise or face hefty fines. I've decided to make the entire matter public, because people should know what kind of person he is,' he said.
Sharma had shared the legal notice and his public response on X.
According to Sharma, the defamation notice objects to three references in his book — the Shilpi-Gautam murder case, a looting incident during Rohini Acharya's wedding, and a violent protest episode outside Bihar Bhavan in Delhi.
The author, who is also known for his widely circulated political podcasts, said he is prepared to defend himself in court if necessary. 'If they move to court, I will fight it. There's no question of a private settlement or backdoor apology. I have a huge volume of source material to prove every line I've written,' he said.
Asked if Yadav contacted him, Sharma said, 'He did call me a couple of months ago, but it wasn't threatening in nature. That's why I didn't mention it in my original post. But yes, as a precautionary note, I mentioned that a call was received.'
Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India.
Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions.
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