Dharmasthala: Tamil Nadu MP files defamation suit against K'ntka MLA
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Bengaluru: Tamil Nadu Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil on Saturday said he has filed a criminal defamation case against Karnataka MLA Janardhan Reddy in a court here for making allegations and linking him to the Dharmasthala case, and rejected the claims as "politically motivated and reckless", PTI reported.
Alleging that it was a "right-wing coordinated attempt" as he opposes their politics, Senthil, who had served as an IAS officer in Karnataka in the past, including as Deputy Commissioner in Dakshina Kannada district, said that he also feels that Tamil Nadu politics is being pushed in Karnataka.
Senthil asserted that he had no connection with the case and rejected the allegations.
Reddy, who is with the BJP, had previously claimed the entire Dharmasthala case was orchestrated through Senthil.
In his reaction, Reddy said he is prepared to face the case filed by the Congress MP.
Speaking to reporters in Ballari, he challenged Senthil to request a CBI and NIA probe into the case from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to prove his innocence.
"Recently, the Gangavathi MLA, on the basis of some WhatsApp message, has taken my name, accusing me of being a scriptwriter and mastermind (behind allegations against Dharmasthala). Initially, I felt -- should I respond to such childish comments?... But, daily some story is being built up," Senthil said.
Addressing the media, he said, "In the public interest and my own right against defamation, I have taken action legally. I have filed a criminal defamation case against Janardhan Reddy, who had taken my name. The court has taken cognisance of it. He will be served a notice. He (Reddy) will have to come and answer to the court as to on what basis allegations were made against me," he said.