Shimla, May 4 (Reporter) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has refused to issue any gag order on the media as requested by Congress rebel and BJP candidate from Dharamshala, Sudhir Sharma, regarding accusations made against him for allegedly taking bribe during the Rajya Sabha elections held earlier this year. Congress Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the party accused Sharma of taking bribe during the Rajya Sabha cross voting in Himachal that caused huge damage to the party and nearly cost them the government in the state as well. Passing an order in the Sudhir Sharma vs. Sukhwinder Singh Sukh matter on May 2, a Single Bench of the high court consisting of Justice Satyan Vaidya said that no exparte order can be issued without hearing the other side in the plea filed on April 24. Passing the one-page order (copy of which is with UNI), the judge said: "... I have taken cognizance of the date of publication of the objectionable news on 4th and 5th April, 2024... "The matter is listed for the first time before this Court today on 2.5.2024. "Further, there is a need to consider the maintainability of such a plea without including the publishers of the objectionable news item in the gag order as prayed. "In such an approach to the matter, there is no need to pass any ex-parte interim order without hearing the respondent. Issue notice of application to the respondent, returnable on 16.5.2024. Notice ‘Dasti’ be issued on the request of learned counsel for the applicant." The court found that no case of urgency was made out as the alleged offending news items were published on 4th and 5th April, 2024 and the date of filing of the suit is 25.4.2024. Earlier to this Senior counsel Sudhir Thakur, representing Sharma also moved a defemation damage suit against Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, and notices were duly issued by the court in response to the civil complaint. The same bench would hear defemation suit on June 11, 2024. In the matter notices were issued against Chief minister on April 25, 2014. The defamation suit filed by Sharma demands damages to the tune of Rs 1.05 crore, reflecting the seriousness of the accusations levelled against him by the chief minister. The accusations are deemed frivolous and baseless by Sharma and his legal team, who are determined to clear his name and uphold his integrity in the public eye. On March 6, Himachal Pradesh Congress took action against then party MLA Sudhir Sharma, for cross-voting in support of the BJP candidate during the state's Rajya Sabha polls on February 27...////...