Chennai: PMK MP Dr Anbumani Ramadoss appeared before the Principal Sessions Court on Wednesday in connection with a defamation case filed by former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in 2016.
In the complaint filed on behalf of Jayalalithaa, the city public prosecutor alleged that the MP had made false and malicious statements in December 2015 against government stating that the Chennai flood was a manmade one. Earlier, the Principal Sessions Court had summoned Anbumani Ramadoss to appear before the court and issued a warrant against him.
On April 10 Anbumani Ramadoss appeared before the court and filed an affidavit disclosing reasons for not appearing before the court so far. Following this, the warrant was recalled and the matter adjourned to June 11 for further hearing. However, on his petition, the Madras High Court stayed the proceedings. When the matter came up for hearing before the principal sessions judge, Anbumani Ramadoss appeared before the court on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after coming out from the court, he said that freedom of expression was being crushed in the state.
The authorities were violating the rights of people who oppose the Chennai-Salem Greenfield 8-lane expressway.
The Centre and state governments were going ahead with the multi crore project despite stiff opposition from people. It was not known why the governments were giving importance to the project instead of expanding the East Coast Road connecting Chennai to Kanyakumari.
The CM had been making false statements saying that people were coming forward on their own and giving land for the project.
Talking about his statement opposing Vijay’s first look posters of the upcoming film ‘Sarkar’ and promoting smoking, Anbumani Ramadoss said that he made the statement with good intentions. He brushed aside actor Simbu’s invitation for an open debate on the issue. However, he was open for a debate with Nadigar Sangam on cigarette smoking.
