Jaya files defamation case against Karunanidhi

Chennai, Aug 10: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

moved a sessions court against DMK chief

and his party organ 'Murasoli' for alleged defamatory remarks against her published in the newspaper on Jul 30.

In the complaint filed on behalf of the Chief Minister in the Principal Sessions Court, the City Public Prosecutor (CPP) said the publisher, printer and editor of the daily and Karunanidhi were liable to be prosecuted for defamation and punishment. According to the CPP, Karunanidhi had made some comments on Jayalalithaa's stay in Kodanad and said her absence from the state capital for about two months was a concern for voters.

The statement that the chief minister "is on vacation from office is totally fallacious, defamatory and without any basis", the CPP said and submitted that the imputations in the news item were made without any basis or verification and with an intention to defame her and the state government.

The complaint said during her stay at Kodanad, Jayalalithaa had looked into and cleared innumerable official files and ensured that all pending tasks were completed at the earliest, and so the allegation that the chief minister had taken a vacation from office "is totally unjustifiable, unreasonable and unsustainable".

PTI