Annamalai files defamation case against DMK leader R. S. Bharathi
- In Reports
- 11:38 AM, Jul 11, 2024
- Myind Staff
On Wednesday, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai filed a defamation case at the Saidapet Court in Chennai against DMK’s organising secretary R.S. Bharathi. He is demanding ₹1 crore in compensation for Bharathi's remarks allegedly linking him to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which has resulted in 66 deaths so far.
After filing the case in Chennai’s Saidapet court, Annamalai told reporters, “Bharathi said I was responsible for the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. He said I had conspired in the tragedy. The speech has caused distress to me. I haven’t filed any defamation case in the last three years after becoming the party’s state president. But Bharathi’s speech has crossed the limits.”
Annamalai has demanded ₹1 crore as compensation and legal action against Bharathi. "The amount of ₹1 crore will be given to people affected by the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy," he said. He added that the compensation received from this case will be used to construct and operate an alcohol de-addiction centre in Kallakurichi.
He said “If the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has the courage, he should reinstate the prosecution sanction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Only a probe by the CBI will reveal the truth in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.”
Bharathi told HT that Annamalai had sent him a legal notice regarding the same matter, to which he responded on June 5. "I didn’t accuse him. I raised a suspicion," he clarified.
The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy on June 19 claimed 65 lives. The opposition AIADMK and BJP have strongly criticised the DMK government over the tragedy and the law and order situation. Annamalai demanded the resignation of the state’s prohibition minister S. Muthusamy.
On June 23, during a press meet, Bharathi "wondered" aloud if Annamalai and the BJP were involved in the incident to defame the DMK government. Bharathi blamed Annamalai for the hooch tragedy, pointing out that the methanol used had been sourced from the neighbouring BJP-ruled union territory of Puducherry.
He said, “BJP is liable...If anyone needs to resign, it’s their BJP ministers and the chief minister of Puducherry…This a planned conspiracy by Annamalai. This is related to Vikravandi election. I have doubts if it was done before elections.”
The bypoll for the Vikravandi assembly constituency was conducted on Wednesday.
Image source: The Hindu
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