Owner of Subhiksha, R Subramanian, had filed a defamation suit against Premji seeking damages of Rs 500 crore.

Subramanian had contended that in an interview given to a leading economic daily on March 11, 2010, Premji had made statements against Subhiksha that gravely affected its business prospects.

According to the defamation suit, Premji “...shares much repute among the business fraternity of India and whose views have considerable influence not only among the business fraternity but also public in general.”

Subramanian’s suit alleges that Premji’s statements in the interview were made with a malafide intention. The contents of the interview when read as a whole, apart from the individual sentences, constitute gross defamation, says the suit.

On Monday, at the hearing before the Prothonotary and Senior Master of the court, Premji’s lawyers said the claims made in Subramanian’s suit have to be supported with documents and they would, hence, like to inspect the documents. Subramanian’s lawyers, however, said all the documents have been attached at exhibits to the suit.

Premji, through his personal investment entity, Zash Investment and Trading Company Private Limited, had, in 2008, bought a 10 per cent share in Subhiksha for Rs 230 crore. The stake was bought from ICICI ventures.

Subramanian alleges in his suit that through February to June 2009 his company was in restructuring talks with Wipro to revive its business and it was during these negotiations that Premji’s company demanded a larger equity stake, which they refused.