PUTRAJAYA, May 9 (Bernama) -- The Appeals Court here today upheld the decision
of a High Court, denying The Sun newspaper columnist R. Nadeswaran extension of
time to file his defence in a defamation suit brought against him by a
businessman.
A three-man panel chaired by Datuk Seri Abu Samah Nordin unanimously
dismissed Nadeswaran''s appeal, ruling that it was academic.
In his decision, Abu Samah also said there was no justification or material
before the panel to disturb the exercise of discretion by the High
Court judge in not granting the extension of time, in view of the conduct and
attitude of the appellant (Nadeswaran).
The panel, also comprising justices Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad and
Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin, ordered Nadeswaran to pay RM15,000 in
legal costs.
Nadeswaran was appealing against the decision of the High Court delivered on
Sept 26, last year, dismissing his application for extension of time to file his
defence.
He was six and half weeks late in filing his defence.
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