Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Friday filed a defamation complaint against DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin accusing him of making “false and malicious” statements that defamed her in the discharge of her public duties.
City public prosecutor M.L. Jagan filed her petition before the principal sessions court seeking punishment of Mr Stalin and Mr R.M.R. Ramesh, editor, printer and publisher of Tamil Murasu, a Tamil evening daily, which carried Mr Stalin’s statement.
The chief minister in her complaint said on December 2, 2011, Mr Stalin presented a petition to the state additional director-general of police alleging that she had acquired the properties in Kodanaadu and Siruthavur, without making any payments from the poor people. He had also sought registration of case against her for land-grabbing, extortion, intimidation and threatening. Mr Stalin also gave a press statement on this and it was published by Tamil Murasu the same evening.
The chief minister said Mr Stalin’s statement was “motivated”. His allegation that she in illegal occupation of any property was false and false to the knowledge of Mr Stalin, Ms Jayalalithaa added.
She said on the basis of a complaint from one N.S. Kumar, a case was registered against Mr Stalin and his henchmen. Mr Kumar had alleged that at the instigation of Mr Stalin, his henchmen threatened him and compelled him to sell his land. Since this complaint disclosed cognizable offences, it was taken up for investigation.
However, apprehending that the prosecution was initiated at her instance, as a counter-blast, Mr Stalin had preferred his petition to police to malign her reputation.