Court asks Vijayakanth to appear before it on Mar 7

Chennai, Feb 21 (UNI) A Metropolitan Magistrate Court today directed Actor-politician and Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) Founder-Leader Vijayakanth to appear before it on March 7 in connection with a defamation case filed by the ruling DMK.

Egmore Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bhoodanathan gave the direction while adjourning the case to March seven.

When the case came up for hearing, the actor's counsel filed a petition before the court informing the Madras High Court had dispensed with the DMDK leader's personal appearance for the day.

The judge accepted it and adjourned the matter to March seven with a directive the actor should appear before the court on the day.

During the previous hearing on February seven, the court took on file the defamation complaint filed by Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister and DMK Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy and ordered summons to the actor-politician.

The court also ordered summons to the publisher of an evening Tamil daily for publishing reports on Vijayakanth who had allegedly made some critical remarks on Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi after recent IT raids on his residence and office premises.

The defamation suit was filed by Mr Veerasamy on February one seeking action against Mr Vijayakanth for saying the IT raids were carried out due to political vendetta at Mr Karunanidhi's instance.

In his petition, Mr Veerasamy contended the DMDK leader's remarks were aimed at tarnishing the image of the party Leader.

On January 23, Income Tax officials raided the houses and offices of Mr Vijayakanth in various parts of the state sparking protests from his party workers who damaged a vehicle belonging to the IT Department and pelted stones in front his house.

UNI