B.P. Katakey and P.K. Musahary, JJ.

1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and decree dated 21.11.2006 passed by learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh in Money Suit No. 140/2003 filed by the appellant as plaintiff, dismissing the same.

2. The plaintiff-appellant instituted Money Suit No. 3/1997 in the learned Court below claiming damages to the tune of Rs. 3 crores with interest against the present respondent as defendant contending inter alia that the defendant-respondent has lodged a complaint before the Deputy Commissioner, Zero on 18.9.1997 with copy to the Chief Minister; Chief Secretary; Commissioner (Vigilance); Secretary, PHE Department; and to the CBI, making defamatory statement to the effect that the plaintiff, a Government servant, is corrupt and amassed a huge fortune by corrupt means and also an encroacher of the Government land. It has further been pleaded in the plaint that because of such false and baseless allegations the plaintiff's reputation in the society has been lowered in the estimation of the public, as he belongs to a highly respectable family of Zero.

3. The defendant-respondent, on receipt of the summons,