Defamation suit: Court issues summons to Jaya

Chennai, Jan 20: A sessions court today ordered the issuance of a summons to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for her appearance before the court on February 26, in connection with a defamation case filed by the state government.

Principal Sessions Judge V Periakarruppiah ordered the issuance of a summons to Ms Jayalalithaa taking on file the demation suit filed by the city public prosecutor M Shahjahan seeking to proceed against her under section 501 of the IPC.

In his complaint, Mr Shahjahan submitted that in its issue dated November 23, 2006 a Tamil daily published the statement of Ms Jayalalithaa against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in connection with the unveiling of M G R statue in Parliament, which was per se defamatory in nature.

Knowing fully well and contrary to the fact, she made the statement in order to tarnish the image of the Chief Minister.

Hence, the present defamation suit seeking to proceed against and punish her for her alleged defamatory statements, he added.

UNI