The Madras High Court has permitted a private individual to approach a magistrate court with a complaint against Vilathikulam DMK MLA Markandeyan over alleged defamatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.
The petitioner, R Parthiban, a BJP functionary from Thoothukudi, told the court that a DMK public meeting was held at Periyasamipuram village in Vilathikulam on January 6, 2023. He alleged that the MLA made false and baseless statements during the speech.
Parthiban said he had earlier submitted complaints to the district Superintendent of Police, the Vilathikulam DSP and the Surangudi police station, but no action was taken. He sought a direction to the police to consider his complaint and proceed as per law.
During the hearing before Justice Lakshmi Narayanan, the police submitted that the petitioner could seek relief by filing a private complaint. The petitioner’s counsel argued that complaints had been made earlier and that action was still not initiated.
The judge granted liberty to file a private complaint before the magistrate court and dismissed the petition.
