'Nakkheeran' Editor moves HC for police protection

Chennai, Jan 9: Tamil bi-weekly Nakkheeran's Editor R R Gopal has moved the Madras High Court seeking a direction for police protection to him and others in the wake of the attack on the magazine's office by AIADMK workers over publication of a report about Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

In a petition, he sought police protection to him, his family members and Nakkheeran employees in the wake of the attack and damage caused to the magazine office here on January 7 over the report which had references to the DMK chief's eating habits.

Meanwhile, Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan in a mention before the First Bench comprising the Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice K B K Vasuki today said that he proposed to file a contempt petition against Gopal for flouting a 2006 order of the high court, regarding publication of matters in the magazine pertaining to Jayalalithaa.

Gopal submitted that since about 10 AM AIADMK party members had come in batches, stoned the office and threw brooms, damaging the building and cars parked there. He said he had informed the police telegraphically and through email about the attack.

"Whenever AIADMK party comes to power, our Nakkheeran Publications and its team of journalists face violent reactions from the party supremo Jayalalithaa," he alleged listing the attacks on the magazine, its staff and property since 1991.

Claiming that his life and that of his employees were in danger and property was likely to be destroyed, Gopal sought the court's intervention. The petition is likely to be heard tomorrow.

Gopal and some employees of the magazine also filed petitions seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest in connection with the publication of the report.

In a related development, AIADMK's Tiruvallur district joint secretary of advocates wing A Vasudevan moved the high court seeking a direction to the police to register a case against Gopal for the "objectionable, derogatory and defamatory" news article against the chief minister.

The article had been published with an ulterior motive, the petitioner alleged adding he had filed a complaint on January 7 with police but was not even given an acknowledgement.

Earlier, a group of advocates burnt copies of the magazine in front of the high court, protesting publication of the article.

PTI