Advocate files defamation suit against BJP candidate Gopal Shetty

A Borivli-based advocate, Jitendra Damani, has filed a defamation case against BJP's North Mumbai candidate, Gopal Shetty, for calling advocates robbers. Shetty had allegedly put up banners on SV Road, Borivli stating `Lootere Vakilose Savdhan' in September.

"After our complaint, he was called to the high court Bar Council and he assured us that he would remove the banner and also tendered an apology. This was in December. However, he did not remove the banner.

So we informed the Public Grievances Cell of the high court, which on March 25 sent a letter directing us to take appropriate action and file a defamation case against him.

Thereafter, on March 25 itself, advocate Jitendra Damani wrote a letter to Shetty seeking an unconditional apology, but Shetty's advocate replied stating that he was not going to apologize. So we have filed a defamation suit against him in the Borivli magistrate court. A case has been registered and next week summons will be issued," said advocate Dharmesh Damani, son of advocate Jitendra Damani.

When contacted, Shetty said: "He has sent me a notice. This advocate has taken Rs 3,50,000 from poor shopkeepers and cheated them in a case against the BMC."

"In any case they (shopkeepers) were eligible for rehabilitation and alternate accommodation. After his complaint, I explained the case to the Bar Council and they accepted my defence. But the advocate went ahead and filed a case against me. Now I will fight it out in the court."