Kerala HC Overturns ₹5 Lakh Compensation in Rajasthan Ambulance Scam Case
The Kerala High Court has vacated a ₹5 lakh compensation order against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The court ruled that the initial defamation finding against Somaiya, concerning allegations in the 2010 Rajasthan ambulance scam, was not sufficiently proven by the plaintiff.
Key takeaways
- The Kerala High Court has overturned a ₹5 lakh compensation order against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.
- The defamation suit stemmed from allegations made by Somaiya regarding the 2010 Rajasthan ambulance scam.
- The court found that Ravi Krishna did not sufficiently prove Somaiya's allegations to be false.
- Subsequent investigations by the CAG and CBI were noted as corroborating Somaiya's claims.
The Kerala High Court has nullified a ₹5 lakh compensation award granted to Ravi Krishna, son of Congress leader Vayalar Ravi, in a defamation case against BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The case originated from allegations related to the 2010 Rajasthan ambulance scam.
A Division Bench of Justices Sathish Ninan and P. Krishna Kumar determined that the Additional Sub Court in Ernakulam made an error by ruling that Somaiya had defamed Krishna. The High Court stated that Krishna had not adequately disproven Somaiya's allegations.
The case will be reconsidered by the trial court, which must provide both parties a fair opportunity to present their arguments. The High Court noted that Somaiya's claims were later supported by findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and a chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Additionally, the court acknowledged that Somaiya, as a prominent BJP leader and former Member of Parliament, may have been acting in the public interest when he made the statements.
Background
Krishna had filed the defamation suit alleging that Somaiya published an article on his website. This article accused Ziqitzia Health Care, a company linked to Krishna, of illegally obtaining a contract for ambulance services by leveraging the influence of his father, Vayalar Ravi. Krishna maintained that the contract was secured legally and contested the accusations of wrongdoing.
Somaiya argued that his statements were based on available records and that, as a public figure with extensive experience, he was acting in the public interest. He highlighted that the CBI's investigation substantiated his claims. The CBI had registered a case involving irregularities in the tender award for ambulance services to Ziqitzia Health Care. Allegations included manipulated technical specifications, improper project implementation, inflated billing by the firm, and payments to accused individuals.
Ziqitzia Health Care had secured contracts for ambulance services in multiple states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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