CHOMBA MUSIKA, Lusaka
LUSAKA High Court has ordered an Indian businessman to pay defamation damages to his former employer, whom he accused of being a criminal who hired people to kill him.
Judge Maria Mapani-Kawimbe ordered Vinod Yaddula to pay Panyam Vikram, an Indian investor, damages after establishing that the defendant published statements that would cause the plaintiff to be shunned in society.
The judge also found that Muvi Television carried the malicious and defamatory statement against Mr Vikram, who is also director and shareholder of Neo Global Trading LLC, without verification.
The court found that the defamatory sentiments lowered the plaintiff’s reputation in the estimation of right-thinking members of society and he was likely to be shunned and ridiculed.
“I hold that the defendants’ publication of the defamatory statements against the plaintiff [has] been proved,” the judge said. “I award the plaintiff damages to be assessed by the learned deputy registrar.”
Mr Vikram sued Mr Yaddula and Muvi TV as first and CLICK TO READ MORE