BJP leader Kirit Somaiya's wife files Rs 100 crore defamation suit against Sena MP Sanjay Raut

MUMBAI: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife Medha on Monday moved Bombay high court with a defamation suit against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut seeking Rs 100 crore damages and also to permanently restrain him from making or publishing statements against her and her family.
Medha (62) is a professor at Ruia College, Dadar, and has been teaching organic chemistry since 20 years. In April 12, 2022 Medha she came across an article in Saamna accusing her of a “toilet scam" in Mira-Bhayandar municipal area. Soon other newspapers and a television channel picked up the news quoting Raut.
Her plaint said Raut made the allegations and accusations “without any proof’’ and he tried to malign her reputation by making defamatory statements which were untrue and baseless. “The action of the present defendant (Raut), by alleging and accusing the plaintiff (Medha) and her family members and organisation, are far more malicious and with the only intent to create a wrong impression in the mind of the public at large with all such false proof less accusation," it added.
“The plaintiff is a doctorate (sic) and carries a high reputation in society and in her profession. The said defamatory materials have hurt the plaintiff tremendously by lowering her standing in the society and in the eyes of the general public, well-wishers, etc," her complaint said. It added that Medha is therefore entitled to recover damages to the tune of Rs 100 crore for “the prejudice, harm loss, injury and damage” caused to her personal and professional reputation by Raut.
Medha Somaiya urged that Raut be “ordered and decreed to pay” her Rs 100 crore or such sum as HC may deem “fit, just and proper" to the CM Relief Fund or as HC deems fit. She also wants Raut to tender a “complete unqualified apology" to her and retract the allegations in news articles with “full prominence on the cover page.” Pending hearing of the suit, she has sought as interim relief a temporary injunction on Raut and his associates from making statements or publishing material against her and her family. Medha has also filed a criminal complaint against Raut before the Mazgaon magistrate court.
Her plaint said she is associated with Tata Institute of Social Science, Jan Sikshan Sanstha, Raigad, NGO Yuvak Prathishan and "is also actively participating and contributing in more than 25 charitable activities."