The Rouse Avenue court issued a notice to BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma in a defamation case filed by BJP MP Raju Bista. The case stems from Sharma’s allegations against Bista in a press conference on April 24, 2024.
Court Issues Notice in Defamation Case
On Monday, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal sent a pre-summoning notice to Bishnu Prasad Sharma. The court scheduled the case for pre-summoning evidence on March 10, 2024. After that, it will decide whether to issue formal summons. Advocates Varun Jain, Akhilesh Singh Rawat, Rohini Rana, and Arun Sharma represented Raju Bista.
Allegations Against Raju Bista
Raju Bista, BJP MP from Darjeeling, filed the complaint after Sharma accused him of involvement in the Jal Jeevan Mission scam. Sharma claimed Bista was part of the Jal Jeevan Mission Planning and Monitoring Committee and misused his position. He alleged that project work orders in Darjeeling were awarded unfairly to Surya India Private Limited.
Sharma also linked Surya India Private Limited to Surya Roshni Ltd., where Bista serves as Managing Director. He claimed Surya India Ltd. secured contracts worth ₹12 crores and called it a shell company for Surya Roshni Ltd.
Bista Responds with Defamation Case
Since these allegations surfaced just before the elections, Bista questioned their timing. He argued that Sharma, despite being from the same party, made false claims to damage his reputation. In response, he filed a defamation suit. The court will decide the next steps after reviewing evidence on March 10.