Chennai: "Government and citizen are just like a mother and son. If some made an allegation or criticized or raised voice against his mother for his rights and needs, the real mother will appreciate but would never intend to punish her son with imprisonment or jail." Highlighting this, DMDK leader Vijayakanth and his wife Premalatha, have approached the Madras high court seeking to quash the 14 defamation cases filed against them.
The Tamil Nadu government filed several defamation complaints against Vijayakanth and Premalatha for allegedly making derogatory speeches and statements against the government, including Chief Minister and Ministers.
Vijayakanth had approached the Supreme Court to quash section 499 of CrPC and 199 of IPC. On May 13, closing a batch of cases, the Apex court upheld the constitutional validity of criminal defamation and asked Vijayakanth to approach the high courts for remedy.
In the petitions, the couple said "A mere political statement made by opponent political leader against the State government, its ministers and chief minister, even if it is found false subsequently does not make it a criminal offence, in the absence of necessary criminal ingredient."
Justice P. N. Prakash, before whom the petition came up for hearing, has directed the couple to furnish the original copies of their petitions and complaints filed before different courts. The judge posted the matter for Thursday.
