Billion dollar lawsuit filed
14-Mar-2008 11:18 AM

LAWYERS of interim Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, filed a one billion dollar lawsuit yesterday.

Chaudhry is represented by GP Lala and Associates in this matter where he is suing The Fiji Times newspaper for defamation.

No comment could be obtained from Lala last night. But Fiji TV’s One National News reports that the defamation proceedings name The Fiji Times and a number of its employees as defendants.

Others include former staff of the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority.
Chaudhry is seeking damages after a series of articles were published in The Fiji Times alleging that he had evaded taxes.

Eight defendants have been named in this Writ of Summons.

They include The Fiji Times, its editor Netani Rika, reporter Robert Matau, Publisher Evan Hannah, Fiji Times website moderators John Doe and Jane Doe, News Limited in Australia, former FIRCA staff Lepani Rabo and Joseva Leano.

Chaudhry in the Writ is claiming damages of $1 billion for an alleged malicious and pre-mediated campaign to remove him from office, breach his right to privacy, defamation, and a refusal to issue an apology.

The writ also seeks an injunction restraining The Fiji Times from further publications against Chaudhry and an apology if ordered so by the court.

Other grounds contained in the document are unlawful conspiracy, negligent mis-statement, misleading and deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct.

Chaudhry states any photocopy document held by The Fiji Times will not be admitted into evidence because they are either false or are obtained illegally and the courts are bound to protect his rights to privacy.

He adds any oral evidence from Rabo and Leano will not be admitted into evidence as the Court is bound to protect his right to privacy.