Fomento claims Rs. 500 crore in libel suit against Seby

Gomantak Times, January 06, 2009

Sociedade de Fomento Industrial Private limited has filed a defamation suit against Siolim-based environmentalist Sebastian alias Seby Rodrigues seeking damages to the tune of Rs. 500 crore for allegedly defaming the company through posts on his blog (www.mandgoa.blogspot.com).

Interestingly however, the defamation suit has been filed before the Kolkata High Court by Sujay Gupta, who is the company’s vice-president (communications), claiming that the website had circulation all over India including the city of Kolkata and was accessible from any corner of the world through the internet.

Gupta, a former journalist who recently joined the Timblo-run Fomento group, said Seby for quite some time had been creating unwanted, unwarranted obstruction to the smooth functioning of the plaintiff at Colomba and Advalpal mines for which various proceedings followed and all such proceedings had gone in favour of the plaintiff.

From April, 2008 onwards Seby had been publishing various news items in his aforesaid blog/website as against the plaintiff containing wholly false and grossly defamatory statements which were being published with the object of maligning and vilifying the plaintiff in the eyes of the general public.

Some of the extracts of the so called ‘false news items’ published in the blog, have also been mentioned in the petitioned.

By publishing such false, defamatory statements in his blog, the defendant has acted not only in an utterly irresponsible manner but also with malafide intention, Gupta said in the suit.

‘Attempt to silence defence of ecology’

Sebastian Rodrigues, said the Kolkata High Court has prevented him from writing any articles about the company on his blog/website till January 15, when the suit will come up for hearing.

When contacted, Rodrigues, alleged that it was an attempt by the mining industry to silence the ongoing process in defence of the ecology and environment that was under assault in the state.

He also pointed out that an attempt was also made to silence him some months ago by branding him a ‘Naxalite’ by the Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar.