Maran files suit against Vaiko seeking one cr compensation

Chennai, Apr 12 (UNI) Union Communication and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran today filed a suit in the Madras High court, seeking a compensation of Rs One crore from Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko for making defamatory remarks against him in an election rally.

In his defamation suit, Mr Maran also sought to restrain Mr Vaiko from in any manner, making speeches, giving any statement, orally or in writing against him on licence matters pertaining to RAJ TV, JAYA TV and BSNL advertisements to SUN TV.

Mr Maran, who submitted that Mr Vaiko had made the defamatory remarks, while addressing an election rally here on March 29, also sought a compensation of Rs One lakh each from a Tamil Daily and Mavis sat.Com, which runs Jaya TV, for publishing and telecasting his defamatory speech.

He said Mr Vaiko's remarks were perniciously false, malicious and intended to satisfy his (Mr Vaiko's) taste with total disregard to probity and moral ethics, with a view to denigrate his (Mr Maran's) high image and respect.

Mr Maran sought a direction to restrain Mr Vaiko from in any way referring to the cancellation of licence given to M/s Raj TV network, alleged payment of Rs 10 crore to Sun TV by BSNL for advertisements, application for grant of licence to M/s Jaya TV and reduction of licence fee from Rs 100 crore to Rs 2.5 crore for national long distance and international long distance calls.

It may be recalled that when Mr Maran challenged to file a defamation case, Mr Vaiko had dared the Union Minister to file the case, saying he himself would argue the case and cross examine Mr Maran.

UNI XR/WS RL PM1429