DMK chief M Karunanidhi arrived at the Madras High Court’s Principal Sessions Judge in a case of criminal defamation filed against him by the Tamil Nadu government headed by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The 92-year-old leader’s court appearance on Monday lasted a very short time as the judge adjourned the proceedings to March 10. This may be the first time he has appeared in person for a defamation case.
The DMK chief said, "AIADMK has filed cases against journalists and political leaders. It's not the right way. For the unity of Tamil Nadu , irrespective of the political parties, people of the state should come together and fight.Truth will always win. People should follow and remain in unity."
He added, "My presence says all about my enthusiasm in withdrawing the defamation cases. TN people should come forward irrespective of the political parties and work to save the state."
Given that elections are around the corner, the move may have been aimed at obtaining political mileage from the case. The wheelchair-bound former Tamil Nadu chief minister is also a Z-category protectee, and accordingly, security arrangements were made in court.
According to a report in The Hindu, Karunanidhi decided to appear before the court against the advice of his lawyers who suggested that he obtain an interim stay on the proceedings.
Karunanidhi appeared in court in connection with a case filed by the state government for ann article that was allegedly defamatory of the performance of the state government in the last four years.
The DMK mouthpiece Murasoli had reproduced an article originally published by Tamil bi-weekly Ananda Vikatan on November25. Ananda Vikatan too faces a defamation for publishing the piece.
On Sunday, party's legal wing secretary, R Girirajan, issued a circular exhorting party lawyers to be present in the principal sessions court 'with coat and gown' when their leader appears in court at 10am on Monday, The Times of India reported.