Sued for damages; Son seeks protection after accusing father of defamation

Additional district and sessions judge asks Sandha SHO to submit comments on defamation case

LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge sought comments from Sandha SHO in a petition filed by a man against his father. The petitioner’s father issued death threats to him after he filed a damages suit against him for defamation.

Muhammad Shahbaz, the petitioner, filed a case seeking damages worth Rs5,000,000 against his father, Sufi Muhammad Yaqoob, who allegedly published a book titled Hamain bhi jainiay do.

According to Shahbaz, his father levelled false allegations of theft against him and his family in the book, which was not only embarrassing but also damaged their reputation in their neighbourhood.

The petitioner said his father not only discussed matters involving their personal life in the book but also focused on issues faced by other residents in the area. He added Yaqoob distributed more than 500 copies of the book.

Shahbaz had asked his father to not distribute the book.

However, Yaqoob and his publisher Maktabae Shafi are adamant to continue distribution.

According to the petitioner, soon after his father came to know about the defamation case, he along with a group of armed men, broke into his house and held his wife and son hostage for a long time.

He said Yaqoob threatened to kill them if the damages suit was not withdrawn.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2016.