Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant on Saturday justified his statement on the double murder case in Neelankarai, arguing that as a leader of a political party he had the right to express his views.
“Don’t I have the right to comment on the issue, when the entire media talk about the involvement of the ruling partymen in the murders,” asked the actor-turned-politician in his reply to the Crime Branch CID.
The CB CID on Friday issued summons to Mr. Vijayakant asking him to furnish information on the case in his possession.
He said the sections under which the summons was issued would not bind him, since they could be invoked only to summon those who were named by the witnesses in the case during investigation.
“The summons issued to me is illegal,” he added.
Mr. Vijayakant said his statement contained information that were already published and broadcast.
“As a leader of a responsible opposition party I disclosed whatever information came to my knowledge, with a view to preventing the interference of the ruling party in the case. I believe the dictum that forewarned is forearmed,” he said.
He said he issued a statement with good intentions, but the summons had created anxiety among the party cadres and the general public as well.
“I wonder if the police are intimidating even a leader of a political party, whether anyone who possess information about the case would cooperate with the police? In these circumstances how will the police bring out the truth in this case,” he asked.
Stating that he was not afraid of anything, Mr Vijayakanth said his objective was that the real culprits should not go unpunished.
“I have given the details about the case. Now it is left to the police to ensure justice,” he added.
