HYDERABAD: In a relief to former Congress MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar, the Hyderabad High Court has stayed proceedings until further orders in a suit filed by the Margadarsi Chit Funds company against Arun Kumar for recovery of Rs 50 lakh as damages for defamation.
As per the case details, the plaintiff alleged that the MP in 2007 had made certain statements against Margadarsi Chits and Finances Company which had caused defamation to the plaintiff’s business. The Chief Judge of the City Civil Court, by an impugned order, appointed an Advocate Commissioner for recording the evidence of the plaintiff and marked the newspaper extracts as exhibits in the suit.
Petitioner Arun Kumar, in his revision petition before the High Court, contended that the trial in the suit should take place in the court as it involves intricate questions of law and the lower court should not have appointed the Advocate Commissioner without even an application. Besides, the lower court received as evidence inadmissible oral and documentary evidence, too mechanically.
While admitting the revision petition, Justice R Subhash Reddy granted stay of proceedings until further orders.