Jaya summoned in defamation case

After perusing case records pertaining to the complaints filed by City Public Prosecutor M Shajahan last week, Principal Sessions Judge P Devadass ordered issue of summons to Jayalalitha to be present for hearing on June 21.

In the complaints, the government had accused Jayalalithaa of allegedly issuing press statements which damaged and undermined the reputation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Taking on record another defamation complaint against Ulaga Tamizhar Peramaippu (UTP) President P Neduamaran, the court ordered him to appear before it on June 20.

One of the complaints stated that Jayalalithaa had on April 14 issued a statement alleging that the state government had slashed the daily allowance to be paid for the central para-military personnel deployed for the recent assembly polls.

"This has completely damaged and undermined the high reputation of the Chief Minister. The statement of AIADMK leader had created disrespect in the minds of general public and voters," it said.

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar had stated that he was responsible for slashing of the allowance to securitymen and not the Chief Minister, the public prosecutor said.

In another complaint, Shajahan said Jayalalitha had on April 13 made some statements "defaming" the chief minister and officials of Central and state governments on the day of the Assembly polls.

The complaint against Nedumaran submitted that he had on April 17 made a statement alleging that the Chief Minister was indulging in malpractices between the dates of polling and announcement of results of the Assembly elections.