Srinagar, Mar 11: The High Court on Friday deferred the petition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Naeem Akhtar seeking quashment of the defamation case against him.
 Akhtar had filed a petition before the High Court through advocate Altaf Haqani seeking quashment of criminal charges in a defamation suit filed by the state government.
 Pertinently, the government last year had filed a defamation case against the opposition PDP legislator Nizamuddin Bhat and party’s chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar for accusing Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah of receiving kickbacks in allotting Rattle Hydroelectric project.
 State government has sought trial of the PDP leaders under Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), read with Section 198-B of Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Procedure Code for leveling “false and baseless” accusations against Omar that he received kickbacks to the tune of Rs 500 Crore.
 The trial of the case is going on in the Principal District and Sessions Court Srinagar. Both Bhat and Akhter have been granted bail by the trial court. However, they have been directed by the trial court to be present in person on March 25.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST