Defamation case: Tytler willing to apologise, Phoolka refuses offer

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler told a court here Wednesday that he is ready to tender "unconditional apology" to complainant H.S. Phoolka to settle a criminal defamation complaint but the latter refused the offer.

Tytler's counsel told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Rao his client has offered to tender unconditional apology as no public interest was involved in the complaint filed by an individual.

However, senior advocate Phoolka, representing the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases, refused to accept Tytler's offer and said: "The matter is of great importance and any settlement will send a wrong message among the people. I cannot settle the matter and any compromise is not possible."

After Phoolka did not accept Tytler's offer, the court asked him to bring on record the interview that was telecast, in which Tytler allegedly defamed Phoolka, in the form of VCD/DVD so it could go through the same to ascertain the facts.

The court said if it is not possible to get the original CD, then VCR should be brought or the video cassette on record should be converted into CD, a copy of which should be given to the accused.

The court listed the matter for Aug 2 for further hearing.