Oommen Chandy files defamation case against Saritha Nair, four jounalists

www.mangaloretoday.com

Thiruvananthapuram, April 8, 2016: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday filed a defamation case against solar scam accused Saritha S. Nair and four journalists of Asianet and Kairali Television channels in connection with news reports based on a letter purportedly written by her indicting Mr. Chandy for raping her.

In his petition, filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court, Ernakulam, Mr. Chandy has invoked Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code, punishable under Section 500 and 120B, which is related to criminal conspiracy.

 

The news reports were carried by the channels on April 3 and 4 to the effect that the petitioner had raped Saritha Nair and that he had received illegal gratification from her.

Mr.Chandy’s contention was the action would affect not only his reputation, but also that of his family and other near relatives. It would lower his reputation in the minds of the general public, coming as it did when the process for the Assembly election had been initiated.

Mr. Chandy alleged that accused 3 and 4, who were journalists with Kairali, a TV channel backed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Mr. Chandy linked the the channel’s ownership to the political motives behind carrying the news item.