The government on Wednesday filed a defamation case against The Times of India for publishing a news item containing DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin’s remarks against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the Chief Minister by the City Public Prosecutor in the Principal Sessions Court.
It also sought to punish S. Santhanagopal, the publisher and printer of the newspaper, and Sunil Nair, Editor of the daily, along with Mr. Stalin for defamation.
According to the complaint, a report in the daily published on August 2 quoted Mr. Stalin as having said he could not understand how a Chief Minister could have a vacation when the whole city was suffering from cholera.
The CPP said the statement was without any basis and was devoid of truth. Mr. Stalin, a Member of Legislative Assembly, was fully aware of the work done by Chief Minister and bureaucrats, but had spoken in malicious manner.
The news item was published and circulated with an intention to harm the reputation of Chief Minister, the complainant claimed.
