Dhruv Rathee accuses BJP leader Suresh Nakhua of hiding facts in defamation case
New Delhi: YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has alleged before a Delhi court that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suresh Nakhua, who is suing him for defamation, has a history of using abusive language against public figures and is attempting to deceive the court to secure a favorable order.
The defamation suit, filed by Nakhua, centers on a video by Rathee titled “My Reply to Godi Youtubers | Elvish Yadav | Dhruv Rathee.” In his response submitted through Advocate Nakul Gandhi, Rathee pointed to past tweets by Nakhua, where he allegedly used derogatory language against prominent individuals such as Sonia Gandhi, Barkha Dutt, and Suhel Seth. Rathee argued that his reference to Nakhua as a “hinsak gaalibaaz” (abusive troll) was based on these tweets.
Rathee’s response also accused Nakhua of intentionally withholding key visual evidence from the court. "The Plaintiff [Nakhua] has deliberately concealed the visual representations of the alleged defamatory portion in the impugned video from the knowledge of this Hon’ble Court," Rathee’s reply stated, emphasizing that these visuals are crucial in assessing the validity of Nakhua's claims.
Nakhua's legal team, represented by Advocates Raghav Awasthi and Mukesh Sharma, has sought an injunction to prevent Rathee from posting any content that could harm Nakhua's reputation. In contrast, Rathee contended that granting such an injunction would amount to an impermissible "super injunction" or "gag order."
The case, originally listed for hearing on August 16, has been postponed to August 27 due to the judge's absence.
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Separate nodal officer in all districts to prevent female foeticides in Karnataka: Minister
Belagavi (PTI): Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is taking strict measures to prevent it.
The minister said the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to prevent foeticide, which he called a "social evil".
He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council.
"Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a lot of difference. I accept that this is happening," Rao said.
"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the central government," he said.
In some districts and in a few hospitals, a higher number of male child births is happening. It is found with the help of intelligence input, the minister said.
"Information is being gathered on the taluk in which the male-female ratio is worsening, what is happening in which hospital, and appropriate action is being taken to crack down on such a network, after proper evaluation."
Decoy operations have been done at seven places in the last two years, to identify those involved in illegal activities linked to female foeticides, and actions have been taken against officials and hospitals involved, he said, adding that more needs to be done on priority.
Responding to a question by Ravi about whether any stringent legislation is being brought, Rao said, the government will consider strengthening the legislation and making it stricter to control this.
"Some amendments have been made to the existing laws in the last two years....advanced technology and the internet is being used to carry out such things, also oral medicines for abortions are available over the counter.
We need to look into bringing legislation to control them. The Food and Drug Administration has issued instructions to pharmacists that the sale of such drugs should be documented."
The minister also said that measures are also being taken for the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, and awareness is being created against the identification of female foetuses and female foeticide.
