Pollachi case: Plea moved by Stalin’s son-in-law junked

Justice PT Asha rejected the application as being devoid of merits and instead directed them to file their written statements to the civil suit. Though the suit is also against DMK chief MK Stalin and another Tamil periodical, only Sabareesan and Nakkheeran editor Gopal moved applications to reject the plaint.

Jayaraman had sought to direct Stalin and others to pay Rs 1 crore jointly for damaging his reputation.

Referring to Stalin’s public speeches that were telecast on Kalaignar TV and various articles published in two Tamil journals, he said the reports made false claims of his sons being involved in the Pollachi sexual assault and blackmailing case, and that he had attempted to bail them out.

Stating that he was held in high esteem by friends, family, relatives, well-wishers and others, Jayaraman accused Stalin and others named as respondents in the civil suit of causing irreparable damage to his reputation by linking him to the case.

While the Deputy Speaker had also sought for a permanent injunction restraining Stalin and others from making or publishing false and defamatory statements against him in any manner, he had moved an interim injunction recently on the ground that Nakkheeran reportedly continued to publish defamatory articles against him.

During the hearing, the judge had then expressed displeasure over publication of articles even after the issuance of notice.