Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has initiated legal action against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad, alleging defamation.
The Statement of Claim points out that on August 1, 2024, Professor Prasad reportedly referred to Chaudhry in derogatory terms, stating, “…the biggest crook, he was hiding $2 million in Australia.” These remarks were published by a news website and a local daily.
Chaudhry contends that the comments made were both false and malicious, aimed at damaging his reputation by labeling him a thief who concealed assets abroad. According to Professor Prasad, donations were made by residents of Haryana, India, to assist in relocating Chaudhry’s family to ensure their safety amid the volatile political situation in Fiji.
Professor Prasad also alleged that between November 2000 and April 2002, Chaudhry received funds that were deposited into his Commonwealth Bank of Australia account through the Indian Consul General Office in Sydney.
Chaudhry is pursuing damages for loss, asserting that Professor Prasad was aware of the facts when he made his defamatory statements and did so knowing they were false. Furthermore, Professor Prasad has not retracted his statements, even after being formally requested to do so in a letter from Chaudhry’s legal counsel on August 12, 2024.
The court has yet to schedule a date for the case to be heard.