Louise Khurshid files defamation case against TV Today group

 Law Minister Salman Khurshid's wife Louise Khurshid Friday filed a civil defamation case in the Delhi High Court against a television group for broadcasting a programme alleging that their NGO siphoned off lakhs of rupees meant for physically challenged people.

Seeking damages of Rs.100 crore, the lawsuit was filed against the TV Today group for the airing the defamatory programme on its channels, Headlines Today and Aaj Tak, said court sources.

According to the Aaj Tak report, the union social welfare and empowerment ministry had granted Rs.71.50 lakh to the Khurshids' Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust for distributing tricycles and hearing aids to the disabled in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The channel, in a sting operation, said the NGO, forged signatures of senior officials in several districts of the state, to deprive the physically challenged who were eligible for grants under a scheme.

While Salman Khurshid is the president of the Trust, his wife is the project director.