TN Govt files defamation case against DMDK

Chennai, Sept 28 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today filed a defamation case against Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) General Secretary Ramu Vasanthan for his article in a Tamil bi-weekly, allegdly harming the reputation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the party symbol issue.

City Public Prosecutor of Greater Chennai, who is the complainant, presented the complaint before the sessions court here, on behalf of the aggrieved chief minister after obtaining sanction from the government.

Presenting the text of the article in which the the DMDK leader had blamed Mr Karunanidhi for denying ''Murasu'' (drum) symbol to the party for the Local body elections, the complainant said the accused had made the derogatory statement against the chief minister with the intention to damage his reputation and create disrespect and doubts of his official duties in the minds of the general public and the voters.

He submitted that by making the malicious statement, knowing fully well that the said statements are false, mischievous and defamatory, the accused had committed offences under sections 499 and 500 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and prayed that the court take cognisance of the complaint, proceed against the accused and punish him for the offences.

The public prosecutor submitted that the personal appearance of the Chief Minister be dispensed with and he be allowed to represent through City Public Prosecutor.

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