‘Won’t tolerate threats to Governor in any form’

This follows the arrest of ‘Nakkheeran’ R Gopal a few days ago based on a complaint by the Raj Bhavan after the magazine published an article linking Purohit to the sex scandal. 

“The links attributed to the Governor or the Raj Bhavan in the issue is absolute falsehood and there is not a shred of truthfulness in it,” a statement from the Governor’s office said, adding, “The statement given by Nirmala Devi to the police would itself bear out the truth.”

In a democracy, there can be a healthy exchange of ideas, but no threats, direct or indirect, on a constitutional authority as the Governor will be tolerated, the statement said. “The Raj Bhavan can and will never be cowed down by actions aimed at hurting the dignity of the high office.”

Stating that the Governor’s office was maintaining a dignified silence for more than six months since the issue came to light, the statement said, “The law was taking its course and the matter was under investigation and subsequently placed before the court for trial.” It expressed shock that the same issue has resurfaced in an issue of a magazine after the charge sheets had been filed and all investigations completed.

“The truth is that Nirmala Devi has never entered Raj Bhavan in the last one year and she does not have any acquaintance with the Governor, Secretary to the Governor or any officers working in Raj Bhavan,” the statement read.

 The Raj Bhavan also claimed that the Governor never visited the guest house at the Madurai Kamaraj University when he was invited there. “He (Governor) has at no point stayed in guest house”, it said adding “the secretary to the Governor did not even accompany him on any visit to the Madurai Kamaraj University”.

Taking on claims that the freedom of the press is being stifled, the statement said, “It is a matter of humour to hear people say that press freedom is being threatened on the count of action, being taken under the law after much patience and tolerance to stop a slanderous, vulgar and cowardly way of attacking the first citizen of the State.”

It was regrettable that such falsehood and yellow journalism was being supported by respectable people who appeared to be not aware of the facts, the statement said.