HC stays release of R K Anand's book on lobbyist Niira Radia

New Delhi, May 25 (PTI) The Delhi High Court Wednesday
stayed the release and circulation of the book 'Close
Encounters with Niira Radia' authored by R K Anand on his
alleged association as a lawyer with the corporate lobbyist
who was representing a UK-based firm in a case here.
Justice V K Jain granted an "ex-parte" injunction on the
release of the book, which was to hit the stands in the first
week of June, and also issued notices to Har-Anand
Publications Private Ltd and Anand who was convicted for
contempt of court following a sting operation.
The court, which asked Anand and the publisher to file
responses, has fixed the hearing on July 22 on the plea of
Radia, Director of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications.
Besides seeking a ban on the release of the book, Radia
has sought Rs one crore as damages alleging Anand and the
publisher have attempted to defame her by revealing
"privileged communications" between a lawyer and a client.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the
lobbyist, said "our main plea was invading the privacy and
having right to privacy. The book is nothing but full of filth
and character aassassination."
Anand, who once appeared in a court for Air UK Leasing
Limited, then represented by Radia, has allegedly bared all
details regarding his communications with the lobbyist.
"What is further astonishing is that the book
unabashedly contains information and documents which enjoy
absolute privilege and protection from third party disclosure
under the applicable laws having been conveyed to Anand in his
capacity as an advocate for Air UK Leasing Limited," the
petition, filed by advocate Saif Mahmood, said.
The petition alleged the author wanted to implicate Radia
as an accused in 2G scam in which she is a witness.
"The clear object seems to be to somehow implicate the
plaintiff in the alleged (2G) scam and prejudice the ongoing
investigations in respect thereof," the petition said.
"The plaintiff (Radia) is an entrepreneur and Chairperson
of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Private Limited, a
reputed and prominent consultancy company running one of
India's largest as also the most respected corporate
communications company," it said.
Anand was engaged as a lawyer by the UK-based firm, then
represented by Radia, to appear in a court as the company got
involved in legal battle with Modiluft.
The UK-based aviation firm had leased some aircraft to
Modiluft Limited and the dispute arose on the issue of
returning of aircraft in October, 1996, on expiry of the deed.
The book contained Anand's alleged observations, based on
his interactions with Radia who used to meet him regarding the
court case, the petition said adding such information cannot
be published as they are "privileged" ones.
Anand had accused Radia of engineering the sting
operation against him relating to the BMW hit-and-run case,
which led to his conviction for the contempt of court. The
operation had brought out Anand's collusion with prosecution
lawyer I U Khan to botch up the trial in which hotelier
Sanjeev Nanda was an accused.
Anand authored the book only as a retaliatory move, the
petition by Radia said.
Anand and the publisher have "unilaterally assumed the
role of a judge and rendered findings" against Radia, the
petition said, adding the book dealt with "sub-judice" matters
such as the 2G and the kidnapping case of her son