The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard the petition filed by DMDK chief Vijayakanth seeking the dismissal of a defamation case filed against him by the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu.
During the ruling court told the chief minister of the state Jayalalithaa that as a public figure, she must learn to face criticism. “No other state misuses the state machinery like the Tamil Nadu government. Defamation cases can’t be slapped for merely reporting on CM’s health condition,” the court said.
Last month, the court had stayed the non-bailable warrants issued against Vijayakanth and his wife Premlata and also mentioned that the cases of defamation cannot be used against the critics of the government as a counter-weapon.
The Public Prosecutor of Tirupur district had lodged the case against Vijayakanth and Premlata on allegations of making false remarks against the chief minister and criticising the work of the government. It is notable that fourteen defamation cases were slapped against Vijayakanth.
SC bench today made it clear once again that defamation cases cannot be used against people who criticise the work of AIADMK government. Jayalalithaa was voted back to power recently in May this year as she won the assembly elections with a majority.