HYDERABAD: The Telangana Government today gave the go ahead to Additional Secretary to Chief Minister Smita Sabharwal to file a civil suit worth Rs 10 crore against the Outlook Magazine for publishing an objectionable cartoon and a write-up against her. The government will foot the Rs 15 lakhs legal costs of the case.
Earlier, Smita’s husband Akun Sabharwal had filed a criminal case against Outlook magazine for the cartoon and write-up against her. The police recently grilled the staff of Outlook magazine.
As the Outlook Magazine’s apology to the write-up and cartoon was not satisfactory, the IAS officer has decided to file the civil suit against the weekly magazine.
Smita Sabharwal told the state government that as per norms, an amount of Rs 9.75 lakh has to be deposited in the court towards court fee while filing the civil suit and requested sanction of Rs 15 lakh, so as to enable her to go ahead with the case.
The government’s sanction came with a rider that in case she gets compensation, the Rs 15 lakh amount should be refunded. The approximate details of court fee to be deposited and other legal expenses include court fee for the civil suit for damages Rs 9,75,426.