TN govt files defamation complaint against Vaiko

Chennai, Dec 28 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today filed a defamation case against MDMK General Secretary Vaiko for his alleged defamatory statement against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

City Public Prosecutor Shahjahan filed the defamation complaint on behalf of the Government before the Principal Sessions Court here.

Mr Shajahan submitted that an English daily, in its December 25 issue, published Mr Vaiko's statement in which he charged the Chief Minister with malicious and per se defamatory words.

Mr Vaiko's statement contained false and baseless allegations and it completely damaged and undermined the high reputation of the Chief Minister in the eye of party cadre and general public, he said.

The MDMK leader had charged that the Chief Minister had hatched a conspiracy to let loose hooliganism in connivance with police to disrupt the MDMK party meeting held on December 25. Out of jealousy, political ill-will and hatred, he had intentionally and maliciously indulged in mud-slinging and made a defamatory statement to cause damage and tarnish the Chief Minister's image, Mr Shahjahan said.

He prayed to the court to take his complaint on file and proceed against Mr Vaiko and punish him for offences under Section 500 and 501 of IPC.

UNI XR-AKN VD HT1657