Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. The lawsuit stems from comments made by Prasad on August 1, 2024, where he allegedly referred to Chaudhry as “the biggest crook” and accused him of hiding $2 million in Australia. These statements were reported by a local news website and a daily publication.
Chaudhry asserts that these remarks are false, malicious, and intended to depict him as a thief with overseas assets. Professor Prasad suggested that donations from residents of Haryana, India, were made to help resettle Chaudhry’s family for safety reasons due to concerns over their well-being in light of the political climate in Fiji.
The complaint claims that between November 2000 and April 2002, Chaudhry received funds that were deposited through the Indian Consul General Office in Sydney into his account at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Chaudhry is seeking damages for the harm caused by Prasad’s statements, arguing that the Minister was aware of their falsehood when he made them.
Despite a notice from Chaudhry’s legal team on August 12, 2024, requesting a retraction, Professor Prasad has not withdrawn his statements. The court has yet to schedule a date for the case to be heard.