The Criminal Court on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban against former Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdit for alleged abuse of power and defamation.
In the lawsuit, Mr Suthep, who is currently in the monkhood, stated that between Dec 17-31 last year, Mr Tarit unlawfully asked the special cases committee to accept a criminal case against him for illegally staging anti-government protests as a special case to be handled by the DSI. The suit also charged him with holding a press conference with the intention of ruining Mr Suthep's reputation.
Mr Suthep accused Mr Tarit of abuse of power under Section 157 and defamation under Section 326 of the Criminal Code. The Criminal Court had scheduled Oct 20 for examination of the lawsuit and evidence.
The court decided to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that Mr Tarit, then secretary-general of the DSI, had properly followed legal procedures and performed the duty of a DSI investigator. It said Mr Tarit's press conference was intended only to publicise the special cases committee's decision.
Sawat Charoenpol, Mr Suthep's lawyer, he would consult with his client over the possibility of seeking the Appeals Court's order for the Criminal Court to reverse its decision.