----------------------- UGANDA ----------------- newvision By Andante Okanya JUSTICE Anup Singh Choudry of the High Court has sued leaders of the Sikh society, demanding damages, alleging that they slandered and defamed him. On October 30, Choudry filed a civil suit at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala, through Serwadda and Company Advocates. The five defendants are listed as Ramgarhia Sikh Society, the Registered Trustees of the Ramgarhia Sikh Society, Kilpal Singh Bansal, Balbir Singh Channa, and Gurusharayan Singh Ghatoare. According to online sources, the word Sikh in the Punjabi language means disciple, Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind. Court documents show that the bad blood arose last year in November as the Sikhs in Uganda marked 100 years of existence in the country. Choudry states that as a high profile Ugandan-born Sikh, he volunteered to organise the function to highlight the pivotal contributions of the Sikh people to Uganda. The judge asserts that he initiated the centenary celebrations in support with Posta Uganda. The latter arranged to issue commemorative stamps for the event. He says at the end of November last year, the defendants subsequently adopted the function as it was meant to benefit the whole Uganda Sikh community. Choudry states that in a letter by the Ramgarhia Sikh Society chairman Bansal, dated December 1, 2014, and addressed to the editor New Vision, he was appointed to lead the celebrations. The contents of the said letter were published in the New Vision edition of December 4, 2013. Choudry denies being a member of the Ramgarhia Sikh, noting that membership is only open to people of their caste. But Choudry’s bone of contention arose from a public notice which appeared in the New Vision of last year December 9. It stated that he did not have the mandate to transact business or handle financial matters on behalf of the Sikhs in relation to the centenary celebrations. “The public notice was a blatant lie and maliciously published, contrary to the defendants own letter of December 1, 2013 to the editor New Vision,” Choudry states. Adding: “The said falsity and maliciousness was clearly intended to damage, disparage, and discredit the plaintiff and frustrate the said successful function held on January 17, 2014 with Posta Uganda and invited Sikh guests from Uganda and abroad.” The judge laments that his reputation has been lowered in the estimation of right-thinking members of society. He wants court to permanently bar the defendants from making any further statements that would subject him to public scandal. Choudry is demanding costs of the suit, and interest of 25% on compensation for damages from judgment date till full payment. He however does not specify the amount of money he is demanding. Court has ordered the defendants to file their defences within 15 days from the date of receipt of the documents. newvision.co.ug/news/661483-choudry-sues-sikh-leaders-over-defamation.html
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 20:22:07 +0000