Sando mayor plans legal action

After weeks of speculation that he physically and verbally abused his 25-year-old girlfriend in public, San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali dismissed the allegations and revealed his intention to bring legal action against the offending media houses. In a media release yesterday, Muradali labelled the claims against him as “grossly inaccurate, exaggerated and mischievous reporting on an incident.”

However, he did not say which media house was liable and when interviewed further, he said his lawyers were in the process of determining those people and media houses who had defamed his character. On December 21, it was alleged that Muradali and his attorney girlfriend had an altercation in the car park of the Gulf City Mall, La Romaine, where he used violence against her.

In attempting to clear the air, Muradali said, “I wish to confirm that on December 21, 2012 a public disagreement took place between my girlfriend and I while we were exiting the Gulf City Mall. “During this disagreement, harsh words were exchanged by both parties as we were entering my private vehicle. This argument continued in the privacy of my vehicle.

“Contrary to the various reports by the media and on social media sites, no physical harm was done to either party.” Since then, the couple has expressed their feelings towards each other on the social networking site Facebook, which prompted widespread rumours, letters-to-the-editor and calls for him to step down as mayor.

Now the mayor said he and his girlfriend have sought legal advice and have given their attorneys instructions to pursue legal action on their behalf. He said, “The parties are also in the process of lodging an official complaint with the Media Complaints Council regarding the use of social media to generate media stories.”

Senior police officials said a report was made but that it was never filed as the alleged victim had a change of heart. However, Muradali said, “I wish to confirm that neither party made a report to the police authorities in relation to this matter. “It is regrettable that this private matter between us has become public and it is unfortunate that many have published grossly inaccurate and possibly defamatory accounts of this incident.”

He said, “Regrettably, both parties used social media sites as means to ventilate their feelings on this issue. We have since resolved the disagreement between us, and have apologised to each other and our respective families.”