ACTING Chief Justice Ian Chang yesterday granted an interim injunction to Brian Tiwarie and BK International Inc, restraining National Media and Publishing Company Limited (NMPCL) and Christopher Ram from further publishing libellous statements against them. NMPCL, of Lot 24 Saffon Street and Ram, of Lot 157 Waterloo Street, both in Georgetown, have been sued by Tiwarie and BK, for damages in excess of $100,000.

The plaintiffs are alleging that libel and defamatory statements were published and or printed in the July 27, 2009 issue of Kaieteur News.

The writ for the claim was filed by attorney-at-Law Mr. Vidyanand Persaud, who cited page 13 of the newspaper under the headline ‘Chris Ram says NBS $800 Million contract manipulated to Dr Gopaul’s friend.’

In his supporting affidavit, Tiwarie said he is the Chief Executive Officer of BK and is authorised and empowered to swear to the complaint.

The complainant said the newspaper is in general circulation in Guyana, overseas and on the Internet and the publication alleged that Dr Nanda Gopaul, Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Building Society Limited, manipulated an $800 million building contract for the new Chief Office to one of his friends.

Tiwarie said BK is engaged in the construction of the new NBS Chief Office through a contract awarded after an open, fair and transparent tender process following.

He added that all the normal procedures involved in the assessment of public bidding and contract were faithfully complied with by NBS which had invited bids for the execution of the works.

Tiwarie said he has suffered humiliation, injury and damage to his character and BK loss of goodwill and damage to its business character as a result of the false and malicious publication.