Home stay owner to file defamation case against C. Manjula

Home stay owner to file defamation case against C. Manjula

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 5, 2012: Loretta R. V. Rebello, the owner of Morning Mist Home Stay, is mulling over filing a defamation case against C. Manjula, chairperson of the Karnataka Women’s Commission for certain objectionable statements the latter made about the property during her visit to Mangalore on Aug 1 – 2. 

Ms. Rebello told Deccan Herald that C. Manjula has defamed her by giving an impression before the media that immoral and illegal activities were taking place at the home stay. Stating that she belongs to a traditional Catholic family and has been the president of Ladies Club, which fights for just causes, she said that the trauma and mental agony she has been experiencing ever since the attack on students in her home stay cannot be explained in words. 

Stating that C. Manjula has defamed, victimized, and harassed a woman belonging to the minority community with intention to tarnish her image before the public, she said that she may reconsider her decision to sue C. Manjula only if the she apologizes in public. She also expressed her regrets that, instead of demanding action against the culprits, C. Manjula has demanded a probe against the mother of one of the victims, who is not related to the attack in any way. 

She clarified that her facility is not a home stay according to the tourism department’s definition and said that she has been paying all the taxes promptly. 

Referring to the attack as “pre-planned,” she alleged that Corporator Mohan Padil had demanded Rs. 10,000 from her for a pooja, but she had paid only Rs. 6000. Although the corporator was arrested immediately after the incident, he was released later. 

According to a government notification dated July 12, 2007, any inspection of a home stay by any government agency must be first authorized by the district magistrate; however, no government agency, which inspected Morning Mist after the attack, complied with this notification, said Ms. Rebello. 

Stating that a number of people, including C. Manjula, have entered her property without the district magistrate’s authorization, she said that she will initiate legal action against these government agencies for trespassing in her property.