Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary has issued a defamation notice to Prashant Kishor, the founder of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), following allegations of corruption made by Kishor. The notice demands that Kishor either substantiate his claims or face legal action, including a civil suit for damages amounting to ₹100 crore in Bihar.
Chaudhary’s lawyer sent the notice, which gives Kishor one week to provide evidence for his allegations or to publicly apologize, both in writing and at a press conference. The notice states, “I call upon you to either provide proof to support your allegations or issue a written and oral unconditional apology, publicly in a press conference, for causing irreparable harm and besmirching the reputation and standing of my client, within a period of one week from the receipt of my legal notice.”
The notice accuses Kishor of conducting a “motivated campaign” against Chaudhary, emphasizing his long public service, strong leadership reputation, and previous academic achievements, including an invitation to present a paper at Harvard University. It also references a prior defamation case filed by Chaudhary against Kishor.
The conflict originated from Kishor’s statements at a September 19 press conference in Patna, where he accused Chaudhary of corruption. During his “Bihar Badlao Yatra” in Jehanabad, Kishor reiterated his claims, suggesting that Chaudhary’s family possesses properties worth ₹200 crore. Kishor challenged Chaudhary to either justify these holdings or resign, stating, “If I am wrong, I must be jailed or a defamation case should be filed against me, but if it is true, then he should resign.”
Political figures in Bihar are gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections expected later this year.
