Srinagar, Apr 25: The Principal District and Sessions Court on Monday listed the defamation case filed by the state government against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator
 Nizam-ud-din Bhat and party chief spokesman, Naeem Akthar for May 25. 
 Pertinently, in August 2010 during a joint press conference in Srinagar Bhat, in presence of PDP  chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar, had alleged that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had received kickbacks of Rs 500 crore in the allotment of Rattle Power Project.
 The Public Prosecutor (PP) submitted before the Court that Bhat had tendered an apology to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the recent Assembly session. “Hence, I would seek instructions from my client (Chief Minister) whether to proceed against Bhat or not,” the PP said.
 Bhat filed an application before the Court through his counsel seeking exemption for today’s hearing, which was later granted. But he has been directed to be present in person on next hearing.
 However, the PDP’s chief spokesman, Naeem Akhtar, who is also charged with defamation, appeared before the Court.
 Following the apology tendered by Bhat the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced to withdraw defamation case against him. However, Omar Abdullah said the criminal defamation case would continue against Akthar, “who is yet to tender an apology.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST