TN govt files defamation complaint against Karunanidhi

Jayalalithaa government on Friday filed a defamation complaint in a court in Chennai against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi and editor, printer and publisher of party organ Murasoli over remarks by the 89-year-old leader on reasons behind delay in release of controversial movie Vishwaroopam.

City Public Prosecutor M L Jegan, in his complaint filed in the Principal Sessions Court, referred to Karunanidhi's remarks on the film, which appeared in Murasoli dated January 31 and contended that they appeared to be prima facie "libellous."

The complaint contended that the DMK chief had made allegations against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a "careless and reckless manner" without verifying or ascertaining the fact.

Karunanidhi in an article titled 'Poonaikutti Veliye Vandhuvittathu' (The cat is out of the bag) had cited reports suggesting that a TV channel close to AIADMK wanted to buy the film but the producers had refused saying they had spent over Rs 100 crore, a charge refuted by the chief minister.

Karunanidhi had also referred to reports that at a function recently, Hassan wanted a 'dhoti clad' Tamilian to become the Prime Minister', an apparent reference to P Chidambaram.