Court Delays Senior Citizens' Defamation Suit for Two Decades
A defamation lawsuit between two senior citizens, described as an "ego clash," has led the Bombay High Court to issue a rare order, adjourning the matter until 2046. Justice Jitendra Jain stated that such cases, which could often be resolved with a simple apology, consume valuable court time that should be dedicated to more pressing issues. The court emphasized that it would not prioritize this matter, even though the parties involved are elderly.
The case, filed in 2017 by 90-year-old Tarini Bahen Desai and another against Kilkilraj Bansali and another, sought ₹20 crore in damages. It originated from a dispute within the Shyam Co-operative Housing Society in 2015 concerning notices, letters, and a resolution to expel them from the society, which the plaintiffs claimed was defamatory and caused mental distress. Despite the court previously suggesting an unconditional apology could settle the dispute, the plaintiff, Tarini Bahen Desai, insisted on pursuing the defamation suit.
Justice Jain's order, issued on April 28, explicitly stated, "I do not wish to say anything else except that this matter should not be taken up for the next 20 years." The court observed that this "ego fight" between parties at the twilight of their lives was obstructing the judicial system from addressing matters of higher priority. The order makes it clear that the case, titled "Tarini Bahen Desai and another v Kilkilraj Bansali and another," will not be listed for hearing before 2046, effectively putting a halt to proceedings for two decades.
Source: CourtBeat News (Kannada)
