An Edmontonian going through a defamation lawsuit from Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is defending himself, denying claims that he unfold lies that harmed the mayor’s repute.
Varinder Bhullar is certainly one of three males named in a lawsuit filed by Sohi in October.
“I’ve accomplished nothing flawed so I’m not involved concerning the consequence of this courtroom case,” Bhullar stated.
Based on a doc despatched to World Information in October by Sohi’s lawyer, Avnish Nanda, three males “created, circulated, amplified, benefited, and profited from false claims and disinformation.”
Nanda beforehand advised World Information that, at concern, is a video revealed by an impartial media firm known as Media Bezirgan. Nanda stated the video claims Sohi unlawfully awarded contracts to members of the family throughout his time in federal politics and that the video is supposed to wreck Sohi’s repute.
The lawsuit names the person within the video, Abdusselam “Mocha” Berzigan, Edmontonian Varinder Bhuller, and a 3rd Alberta man.
In his assertion, Nanda stated Bhullar “repeated and amplified the harmful, derogatory, inflammatory and libelous allegations” created by the opposite two males with the intent of harming Sohi’s repute in Edmonton’s South Asian neighborhood. Nanda additionally claimed Bhullar added further “false claims and revealed the exact location of Amarjeet Sohi’s private residence.”
Sohi is in search of an apology in addition to $750,000 in damages. Based on Nanda, the cash can be donated to teams combating disinformation or serving to underrepresented communities take part within the democratic course of.
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“This authorized motion is important as a result of we can’t permit these false claims and poisonous disinformation to be the norm in our political discourse,” Sohi stated by way of assertion when the lawsuit was first filed.
Bhullar filed his assertion of defence in November saying he’s by no means repeated or amplified any defamatory assertion with the intention of harming Sohi’s repute in Edmonton’s South Asian neighborhood.
None of those allegations have been examined in courtroom.
“I simply acquired that video by means of my social media after which it appeared interesting, convincing so I assumed I’d let folks make the choice,” he stated.
“It was not defaming him. It was defaming his function or no matter the associated fee is coming to taxpayers. I’m at all times involved about Edmonton residents and Indian residents, and I’m simply highlighting issues that matter to taxpayers.”
Bhullar stated he’s stunned to be named within the lawsuit. He stated he has no relationship with the opposite two males named within the go well with.
He added he has nothing towards the Edmonton mayor, claiming the 2 beforehand labored collectively inside the Punjabi Cultural Affiliation. He additionally stated he was a keynote speaker for Sohi’s marketing campaign when he ran as metropolis councillor.
Bhullar stated no reveals have been shared with him. He acknowledged he’s been important of Sohi on social media, however stated he’s important of all ranges of presidency no matter their political stripes.
“I’ve been elevating considerations about Premier Smith. I’ve been elevating considerations about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,” Bhullar stated.
Bhullar works as a land developer and sometimes offers with metropolis administration relating to zoning functions. He stated he hopes this authorized problem doesn’t affect working relationships.
“That is very disturbing once you haven’t accomplished something and you find yourself spending cash on authorized charges. However I’m appreciative of the help I’m getting from my neighborhood,” he stated.
“I’m a neighborhood activist. My aim is to focus on what is occurring within the metropolis… That is shutting down freedom of speech and that’s very important for any democracy.”
World Information reached out to the mayor’s workplace relating to Bhullar’s assertion and was referred Sohi’s lawyer. Nanda was not out there for remark.
with recordsdata from World Information’ Morgan Black
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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