Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah filed a defamation petition in a city court on Wednesday against Tamil Nadu State Congress President E.V.K.S Elangovan for making malicious remarks against him in a programme telecast in a private television recently. This is the first ever time that the Governor of the state has been involved in suing for libel.
It was on behalf of the Governor that the City Public Prosecutor, M.L. Jegan filed the petition before Principal Sessions Court. In the petition, Jegan stated that in an exclusive interview to a private television channel, Elangovan made defamatory remarks against the Governor relating to the appointment of vice-chancellors in State universities. Elangovan alleged that irregularities had been committed in the appointments.
The programme was telecast in the channel on April 30. Jegan said the statements were mischievous and intentionally spoken to malign the reputation of the Governor. The statements were false and without any factual basis. They were not made in good faith and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Governor".
"Elangovan is liable to be prosecuted for the offence committed under section 499 of IPC and liable to punished under section 500 of IPC", Jegan said. The matter will come up for hearing in the principal sessions court soon.
