Noppadon withdraws libel case against Sondhi

Defendant Sondhi, who was a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy during its rallies against the Thaksin camp, told the court he did not object to the withdrawal of the suit. 

The court then dismissed the case under Article 39 (2) of the criminal procedure code that stipulates criminal suits, which are offences against individuals, would end if the suits are withdrawn or settled out of court.

The Criminal Court had earlier sentenced Sondhi to six months in jail after finding him guilty of defaming Noppadon in his television programme Muang Thai Rai Sapda.

The Court of Appeal in September 2012 commuted the sentence from six to three months in jail on the grounds that the defendant and plaintiff had not known or held grudges against one another. The defendant, who is 60 years old, had the responsibility to take care of his family. The court had ordered Sondhi to advertise the verdict in daily papers for three days. Other defendants were acquitted. Following the verdict, Sondhi had appealed to the Supreme Court.

Sondhi said he did not know why the plaintiff withdrew the case. Noppadon said he would ask his lawyer about the case.