Media houses restrained from publishing Singhvi CD

New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) In a relief to Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the Delhi High Court has restrained media houses from publishing the contents of a CD allegedly depicting the senior advocate in sexual acts.

Justice Reva Khetrapal, in her order passed April 13, restrained Aaj Tak, Headlines Today and The India Today Group from disseminating the contents of the CD which was allegedly prepared by Singhvi's driver.

Issuing notice to Mukesh Kumar Lal, driver of Singhvi and the media houses, the court said: "Irreparable injury is likely to be caused to the reputation and goodwill of plaintiff 2 (Abhishek Manu Singhvi) in case the defendants are not restrained from disseminating the information allegedly in their possession in the form of CD."

Posting the matter for May 21, the court further said: "Till the next date, the defendants, their agents and all other acting for and/or on their behalf are restrained from publishing, broadcasting, disseminating or distributing in any form or manner the contents of any alleged CD or any other material as described in the plaint in relation to Abhishek Manu Singhvi."

According to the plea filed by Singhvi, his driver for several years Mukesh Kumar Lal left the job on March 17 without any prior notice and later on March 24 sent SMSes and called Singhvi to threaten and blackmail him about the CD.

Singhvi alleged that the SMSes received from Lal made wild, baseless and false allegations about him and also made deliberate mischievous attack on his moral character.

According to Singhvi's petition, the SMSes referred to a CD, which Lal said that he would distribute to all media houses, severely embarrassing and defaming the name and reputation of Singhvi.

The petition further stated: "Lal said that he needs a very large amount of money or else he will start spreading false rumours and allegations against Singhvi, including false statement regarding his moral character and will go to the media and distribute a CD which allegedly depicts alleged sexual acts made allegedly by Abishek Manu Singhvi and will not hesitate from making other false claim."

Singhvi had also filed a complaint in Gulmohar Park police station, Delhi on March 23 against Lal.

According to the petition, on March 24, 2012 the petitioner received calls from several senior political leaders about the possession of the CD with journalists.

Singhvi claimed that such a CD either does not exist or if it does, it is clearly and obviously morphed, fabricated and forged.

"Publicity to the content of such a CD would only be for sensational and salacious purpose and would amount to a gross and irreparable violation of an individual's privacy and would be per se defamatory," Singhvi submitted through his petition.

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