Sessions court summons to Vaiko in defamation plaint

Chennai, Jan 3 (UNI) A Sessions Court today ordered issue of summons to MDMK General Secretary Vaiko to appear before the court on February 15 in connection with the defamation case filed against him by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Principal Sessions Judge V Periyakaruppaih ordered issue of summons to Vaiko after taking on file the defamation complaint filed by City Public Prosecutor M Shahjahan on behalf of the state government, while posting the matter to February 15.

In his defamation complaint, Shahjahan submitted that an English daily in its issue dated December 25 published Vaiko's statement, in which the latter had charged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with having hatched a plan to let loose hooliganism in connivance with police and disrupt the MDMK party meeting. He had also alleged that the state government was using the police force to prevent MDMK party cadre from coming to the party office.

Describing the allegations as false, baseless and frivolous, Mr Shahjahan said it was aimed at undermining the high reputation of the Chief Minister in the eye of party cadre, colleagues and the general public. The allegations were made knowingly and with an ulterior motive to defame Mr Karunanidhi. Out of jealousy and political ill-will, Mr Vaiko had intentionally and maliciously indulged in mud-slinging to cause damage and bring disrepute, and made defamatory statements, he added and sought to proceed against him and punish him under Section 500 and 501 of IPC.

UNI