Bring law to curb baseless allegations: Congress MP

New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) In a veiled reference to activist−politician Arvind Kejriwal, a Congress MP from Goa Monday demanded that a new law be passed to provide civil remedy for defamation so that the defamer is forced to shell out "substantial monetary damages".

"The temptation of power and greed makes some fly−by−night leaders get on the streets and defame individuals and denigrate institutions. These leaders get a further boost with coverage, as the media cannot resist the temptation of spicy material," Congress member of the Rajya Sabha from Goa Shantaram Naik said in parliament by way of a special mention.

During his campaign for the Lokpal bill as well as in the run up to the launch of his new 'Aam Aadmi Party', Kejriwal has been levelling substantial charges against leading politicians on counts of corruption and impropriety.

"Punishment under criminal law is not a deterrent. Besides, since cases take years together for decisions, people who are habituated to use the weapon of defamation to achieve their political ends have virtually nothing to fear," Naik said, adding that habitual offenders in defamation cases need to be compulsorily imprisoned.

Being an MP it is surprising that he does not know there is already a law against libel.

Many people have threatened Kejriwal to take him to court for libel but nobody takes him to court.

They know that if they take Kejriwal to court, they will be made naked. All their skeletons will be brought out.

Kejriwal is a highly respected and educated and he does not speak unless he is sure of the facts.

Why doesn't Mr. Naik make the CBI, CVC, ED and Income Tax department and other investigation agencies independent of government interference. Then we will know who is speaking the truth, Kejriwal or the people against whom he is speaking.

Robert Vadera has not uttered a word against Kejriwal regarding the DLF scam.

Salman khurshid our ex-law minister,had threatened a libel suit but it is yet to come. Instead of taking action against Salman Khurshid, the Congress party has promoted him as Foreign minister.