Monday, June 13 2005 18:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government today (Jun 13, 2005) initiated defamation proceedings against Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M Karunanidhi for allegedly attributing political, personal and sinister motives behind the 'delayed' arrest of Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi in the Sankararaman murder case.

When the civil suit, filed on behalf of the Government by city public prosecutor T V Ganesh came up before principal sessions judge P Murugasean, he posted it for hearing on June 20 Vth additional sessions judge.

The suit said that the allegedly defamatory speech by Karunanidhi on November 22 last (2004) against the functioning of the Government, published in English and Tamil newspapers, intended to harm the reputation of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in discharge of her public function and duty.

Stating that some of the remarks were irresponsible, the Government said they were made in 'a desperate bid' to deflect attention from the heinous and barbaric murder of the former temple employee Sankararaman on September 3 last (2004) and deliberately create a bad name for the Government.

Inquiries and investigations in criminal cases are the exclusive powers and functions of the State police and no one including the Chief Minister, could interfere, the suit said, adding that though Karunanidhi is a former Chief Minister, he had allegedly attributed political and personal motives for the delayed arrest and incarceration of the Seer.

The suit sought to punish him for defamation.

The Seer was arrested by Tamil Nadu police in connection with the murder at Mehboob Nagar near Hyderabad on November 11.