New Delhi: The son-in-law of Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna has filed a Rs 50 lakh defamation suit against former state director general of police (DGP) C Dinakar charging that the police officer had levelled baseless charges against him in his book on forest brigand Veerappan.

Taking cognizance of the suit by Krishna's son-in-law V G Sidharth, Justice K S Gupta on December 3 issued notice to Dinakar and the Delhi-based publisher Konark Publications. The two defendants were also directed to submit their replies by January 27.

Sidharth's counsel Vijayalakshmi Menon alleged that the former DGP in his book 'Veerappan's Prize Catch: Rajkumar' had levelled "false" allegations about her client being a go-between to secure the release of film actor Rajkumar, who was kidnapped by the sandalwood smuggler two years ago.

Claiming that Sidharth was nowhere in the picture, Menon contended that his name was "dragged" into the controversy to "give credence to a false story" in the book.

Sidharth, as an outsider, had no knowledge about how the government handled the matter, she said.

Dinakar, who was the then state police chief, in his 318-page book has alleged that Rs 20 crore was paid to Veerappan to secure the release of the Kannada thespian to bring to an end his 108-day kidnap saga.

The former DGP had claimed that the money was paid in instalments through various persons including a senior police official.

PTI