Ex-parte proceedings: Author accused of defaming son, daughter-in-law

Petitioners stated writer discussed their personal issues in book

LAHORE: A civil judge has ordered an advertisement be published in a newspaper on initiating ex-parte proceedings against an author and publisher.

The author’s daughter-in-law and son filed a defamation suit alleging the former assassinated their characters in a book, Hamein Bhi Janay Do.

The author’s daughter-in-law Samina Shahbaz and son Muhammad Shahbaz submitted a petition, stating the respondent author, Sufi Muhammad Yaqoob, assassinated their characters by discussing their personal matter in his book. The petitioners said the author also declared them as thieves and vagabonds. Not only that, they stated, Yaqoob also levelled false allegations on other residents of the locality.

Since the publication of the book left them disturbed and damaged their reputation, Samina and Shahbaz said, the respondents were liable to pay Rs5 million.

According to the petitioners, over 500 copies of the published book were distributed in the locality where they live and at Saghar Siddiqui festival. Besides, the author also distributed hundreds of copies at various bookshops.

They said Yaqoob also concocted stories about those locals who passed away years ago. The petitioners informed the court the book is not based on facts, which caused humiliation to them.

Samina and Shahbaz stated they had requested Yaqoob to not publish and distribute such books, but the latter and his publisher did so nevertheless.

The judge issued several notices to the respondents, but none of them turned up before the court. Finally, the court started ex-parte proceedings against the respondents’ side.

The civil judge had granted a stay order on further distribution and publishing of the book till the next date of hearing.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Shahbaz said the books damaged his reputation in the political circle where he represents Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

Shahbaz added locals wanted to block roads in protest against the book, but he requested them to not do so. He maintained the content of the book disrupted his family life.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2016.