Kanimozhi gives Annamalai deadline of 48 hours to tender apology; he sends legal notice to RS Bharathi

“You (Annamalai) have made a reference to our client (Kanimozhi) by displaying her photo with the text ‘Kanimozhi Rs. 830.33 Cr’, which is followed by showing her family tree with reference to husband and son and background showing her late father Dr Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, the former chief minister and former leader of the DMK,” he said in the notice.

“Subsequently, you have displayed the website ‘MyNeta’, comparing the year 2009 and 2019. Thereafter in the said defamatory video, you have displayed the following words: ‘Affidavit assets Rs. 30.33 crore, Kalaignar TV Rs. 800 crore and Total Value Rs. 830.33 crore’ along with her name and photograph, which is an act tainted with malice and ill-will towards our client and are per se defamatory in nature,” the legal notice stated.

It added that the video was published “in a reckless manner, with mala fide intent” and for ulterior motives to “scandalise” Kanimozhi’s life.

Related: No one can harm DMK, says Udhayanidhi Stalin

Claims ‘baseless’, ‘imaginary’

The clip’s claim, that the MP holds assets worth ₹830.33 crore, were “baseless”, “imaginary”, and “contrary to the available records and documentation”, said the notice.

“It is evident that your intent was to malign the public image of our client” and tarnish her reputation by projecting that she holds such assets, it added.

Stating that Kanimozhi did not hold any shares in Kalaignar TV, the advocate demanded an unconditional apology from Annamalai within 48 hours and the deletion of all the “DMK files” videos he posted on social media,

He also sought ₹1 crore as defamatory compensation.

Related: Annamalai releases ‘DMK Files’ as party calls it a joke

No apology, says Annamalai

Earlier, Annamalai refused to apologise following the legal notices sent by DMK leaders for publishing the “DMK Files”.

DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin, TR Balu, and RS Bharathi have already sent legal notices to Annamalai seeking his apology.

They have also sought compensation of ₹50 crore to ₹500 crore for damaging their reputation.

They also sought the removal of the videos from social media within 48 hours.

Speaking to South First, Annamalai’s advocate RC Paul Kanagaraj said that replies had been sent to all the notices given by the DMK leaders.

“Our leader Annamalai said that he will not apologise, and he stands by his words as he has all the documents supporting his claim. He has also stated that he will not pay any compensation and will not remove the ‘DMK Files’ from the portal,” Kanagaraj said.

TN BJP chief sends his own notice

Meanwhile, referring to Bharathi’s recent press conference, the notice sent by Annamalai through Kanagaraj said an allegation was made by the DMK leader that Annamalai received money as part of the “Aarudhra scam,”

The scam, in which depositors were duped in Tamil Nadu, is under police probe.

When Annamalai released the “DMK Files” on 14 April, Bharathi alleged on the same day that it was a diversionary attempt as the BJP leader faced allegations of receiving crores from the scam.

The notice to Bharathi said: “Initially you say he received several crores and then you say he and his associates received Rs 84 crore directly. You don’t reveal any further details, such as who paid the money to my client or who these associates are. You say you have come to know this because the general public and some persons from my client’s own party say so. You also claim that that is why depositors affected by the scam protested outside the BJP party office.”

Such allegations were entirely fabricated and false and nothing but a knee-jerk reaction to “my client’s expose of the DMK party”, it added.

The notice said Bharathi must ensure the removal of the video of the press conference from social media platforms and websites.

“Cease and desist from in any way speaking, broadcasting, publishing, sharing, uploading, dissemination or in any way communicating to the public the allegations made in the offending video,” it said.

The notice asked Bharathi to “forthwith pay damages to the tune of ₹500,00,00,001 (Rupees five hundred crore and one only) to our client, which our client intends to pay to the PM Cares Fund.”

Annamalai would otherwise be constrained to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against Bharathi for defamation, it added.

(With PTI inputs)