The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, on Monday filed a defamation case against the MDMK Chief Vaiko after the latter refused to “apologize” for his remarks against the DMK leader last week linking the latter to an attack on the Tamil film director Bharathiraja’s office recently.
The DMK’s Headquarters Principal Secretary, Mr. Arcot N Veerasamy filed the petition on Mr. Karunanidhi’s behalf at a Metropolitan Court here seeking legal action against Vaiko under sections 499 and 500 IPC, for the defamatory remarks the latter had made against the Chief Minister at a public meeting in Chennai recently.
Mr. Vaiko had alleged that as Mr. Karunanidhi was in charge of the Home Portfolio, the “attack” by some goons at Bharathiraja’s office, damaging computers and other costly equipment, could not have happened without the Chief Minister’s knowledge and even accused the latter of being behind that attack.
These remarks certainly caused considerable harm to the reputation of someone occupying high office and were aimed at defaming Mr. Karunanidhi, who also enjoyed widespread respect and affection of the Tamils worldwide, said Mr. Veerasamy, explaining why he had chosen to file the petition under these two IPC sections related to “defamation”.
If the charge is proved against Mr. Vaiko, then the maximum punishment under Section 500 of the IPC could go up to two years simple imprisonment, or with fine or with both. Vaiko in his reply to the Government lawyer’s notice last week had declined to apologize “within 24 hours” as demanded by the DMK Chief and also defended the import of his speech made at a public meeting here to condemn the brazen attack on Bharathiraja’s office. The Tamil film director is a vocal backer of the Sri Lankan Tamils cause.
{{/usCountry}}If the charge is proved against Mr. Vaiko, then the maximum punishment under Section 500 of the IPC could go up to two years simple imprisonment, or with fine or with both. Vaiko in his reply to the Government lawyer’s notice last week had declined to apologize “within 24 hours” as demanded by the DMK Chief and also defended the import of his speech made at a public meeting here to condemn the brazen attack on Bharathiraja’s office. The Tamil film director is a vocal backer of the Sri Lankan Tamils cause.
{{/usCountry}}Taking Arcot Veerasamy’s application of file, who was accompanied by a group of DMK lawyers, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, here, Mr. Sethumadhavan, adjourned the next hearing of the case to June 16. EOM.