Defamation of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala: HC upholds judgement convicting Somanath Nayak

Belthangady: The Karnataka High Court upheld the judgment of the Civil Court in Belthangady convicting the president of the Nagarika Seva Trust Somanath Nayak of defaming Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala and its Dharmadhikari Dr. D Veerendra Heggade.

Belthangady Civil Court had sentenced Somanath Nayak to imprisonment, ordered property seizure, and imposed a fine for violating a gag order. Nayak had filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the libel charges against him.

After hearing the arguments of both sides, the High Court delivered its 148-page long judgment on May 5, dismissing Nayak’s application and upholding the civil court’s verdict in the case.

After reviewing the documents submitted, the court said, Dr. D Veerendra Heggade and his family do not have immovable property beyond the specified limit per law. However, Nayak made false allegations about it in media and website without basis and in contravention of the court’s stay.

Meanwhile, the civil court in Belthangady has already issued a warrant for Somanath Nayak’s arrest.