Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has filed a defamation lawsuit against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. The legal action stems from remarks made by Prasad on August 1, 2024, where he allegedly called Chaudhry “the biggest crook” and accused him of hiding $2 million in Australia.
Chaudhry asserts that these statements were not only untrue but also malicious, aimed at depicting him as a thief who concealed money abroad. Furthermore, Prasad commented that donations had been made by individuals in Haryana, India, to help Chaudhry’s family resettle in another country due to safety concerns related to the political climate in Fiji.
The lawsuit highlights that between November 2000 and April 2002, Chaudhry received financial assistance that was reportedly deposited into his bank account via the Indian Consul General Office in Sydney. Chaudhry claims that Prasad was aware of the truthfulness of the facts when he made the alleged defamatory remarks.
Chaudhry is seeking compensation for loss and damage resulting from these statements. Prasad has not retracted his comments, even after receiving a notice to do so from Chaudhry’s legal counsel on August 12, 2024. The court has yet to schedule a date to hear the case.