Vijayakanth, wife moves HC for quashing defamation cases

Chennai, DMDK founder leader Vijayakanth and his wife Premalatha today moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash criminal defamation cases filed against them by the public prosecutor in different courts in Tamil Nadu.

In their petitions, the two submitted that they were filing the petitions following the recent order of Supreme Court which while upholding defamation laws had directed them to approach the high court for quashing the cases against them.

They contended that in the absence of criminal intention, a mere speaking and sharing or exposing of truth bonafidely in public by a citizen or by a opponent political leader against government official or another citizen does not constitute any offence.

Stating that the relationship between a citizen and the government was like a mother and son, petitioners said when a son raises his voice for his rights and needs the real mother only will appreciate and never intend to punish him for imprisonment.

Justice P N Prakash, before whom the petitions came up for hearing, adjourned the matter to August 4.