SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) leader Mukul Sangma found himself entangled in a defamation case worth Rs 20 crore on Thursday.
Henry Lalremsanga, the son of a Congress MLA from Mizoram and the chairman of New Delhi-based 2B’s Group of Companies, issued the legal notice against Sangma, seeking redress for what was described as “unfounded allegations” and “character attacks” against him.
“The recent defamatory statements, devoid of any factual basis, have inflicted significant distress upon Mr. Lalremsanga, his family, and the businesses under his purview. Furthermore, these accusations have indirectly cast a shadow over the Mizo community,” read the notice, issued on Thursday.
In the strongly worded legal notice, Lalremsanga’s counsel demanded substantial compensation amounting to Rs. 20 crore to account for the harm done to his reputation, with a stipulation that this amount be settled within a 7-day period.
The notice also outlined several unequivocal demands, including an unconditional apology and a clear retraction of all “false and damaging statements” within one week from the notice’s receipt. Additionally, the notice mandated an immediate cessation of any further false claims or disparaging comments directed at Lalremsanga.
The notice firmly communicated that any failure to adhere to these clearly laid out stipulations would compel Lalremsanga to pursue rigorous legal actions, encompassing both criminal and civil proceedings.
The entire controversy was sparked when, during the second day of the Assembly session, the AITC Parliamentary Party Chief, referencing a news article about the arrest of a Mizoram-based commerce graduate allegedly tied to Lalremsanga, levelled shocking allegations.
Sangma insinuated that Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had close connections with a presumed “drug kingpin from Mizoram”. Furthermore, the Chief Minister’s office was accused of facilitating the said kingpin’s participation in a prominent New Delhi event.
In response, Chief Minister Sangma dismissed all accusations by the AITC leader, branding them as “illogical”.
