Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Aug 8: The court of the senior civil judge and JMFC here has imposed a fine of Rs 25 lac on K Somanath Nayak from Guruvayanakere for purposefully sending defamatory SMS containing insulting and defamatory material about Dr Heggade of Dharmasthala. The amount has been ordered to be remitted to Dharmasthala establishment.
The then manager of Dharmasthala temple, N R Udupa, had filed a suit against Nayak. The court, after conducting detailed hearing in the case and verifying various documentary evidences, came to the conclusion that in spite of repeated orders of the court not to issue any statement that can dent the honour and standing of Dharmasthala establishment, Somanath has been violating the orders and levelling false charges. Taking serious note of this fact, the court had imposed three months of jail term and fine to him in the past, but Nayak continued with his habit of making allegations.
K Somanath Nayak
The court arrived at the conclusion that Nayak's action has damaged the reputation of Dharmasthala temple and ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 25 lac to the petitioner within three months.
Advocates Ratnavarma Bunnu and M Badarinath Sampigethaya, had appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioners.