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Defamation case against Rediff.com for news on Jayalalithaa's health. But this is not a first

Raza Naqvi | Updated on: 15 July 2015, 13:36 IST

A criminal defamation was filed against Rediff.com India Limited on 15 July for carrying a news story about the health condition of J Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu.

Who filed the petition?

ML Jegan, City Public Prosecutor has filed a criminal defamation case in Principal Session Court against R Ramasubramaniam, Reporter, Ajit Balakrishnan, CEO and Chairman. Nikhil Kashman, Editor-in-chief and Abishek Mande, Senior Associate Editor.

Previous defamation cases filed by the Jayalalithaa government:

  • A defamation suit was filed against BJP leader Dr Subramanian Swamy after he had alleged that the boats apprehended by Sri Lankan navy belonged to Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala.

  • Defamation suit was filed against DMK chief M Karunanidhi, his son MK Stalin, besides publishers and two editors of English dailies in connection with an article in which Jayalalithaa had been criticised for staying in Kodanad state.
  • Jayalalithaa had earlier sued Cyrus Broacha, famous TV anchor and comedian for mimicking her on a TV show.

  • In 2003, a criminal defamation was filed against leading English daily The Hindu for publishing an article related to Jayalalithaa, it was alleged that the article was published to harm the her reputation.

  • In 2012, a defamation case was filed against Junior Vikatan, a Tamil newspaper for carrying a news story stating that a yagnam was to be performed in the Poes Garden residence of Chief Minister which was defamatory.

  • Defamation case was filed against Vijaykanth, actor turned politician for his alleged defamatory remarks against Jayalalithaa in an interview to a regional television channel criticising spending of public money on advertisements.

  • Tamil newspaper Dinamalar was served with a defamation suit after it had published an article on state government orders for relaxing construction norms.

  • The Times of India, Chennai edition faced a defamation case after it had published an article on increasing number of accidents in Tamil Nadu and had titled 'Tamil Nadu gives its drivers a licence to kill'.

  • Tamil magazine Nakkeeran and The Hindu faced a defamation case as they had published an article in which Jayalalithaa was termed as a 'beef-eater'.

  • During her 2002-2006 tenure, a total number of 120 criminal defamation cases were filed against various media organisations.

  • Between 2006 and 2011, 40 defamation cases were filed against media houses.

First published: 15 July 2015, 13:37 IST
 
Raza Naqvi @Mir_Naqvi

Raza is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and has worked with the Hindustan Times in the past. A passionate follower of crime stories, he is currently working as a Sub-Editor at the Speed News desk.