Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi on Sunday issued legal notice to Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy demanding public retraction of his statement in which he had linked him in the 2G scam.
Denying outright charges of his involvement in the spectrum allocation scam, Mr Karunanidhi, in his notice sent through his counsel P.R. Raman, a copy of which was circulated to the media, rubbished the statement as “false” and “motivated by personal malice, political rivalry and clamour for cheap publicity.”
Mr Karunanidhi threatened to initiate civil and criminal proceedings if Mr Swamy failed to retract within 24 hours. The notice also said that Dr Swamy’s statement was a ‘reckless’ attempt made to wilfully and maliciously defame the character of Mr Karunanidhi who has been in public service for over 70 years and who has been chief minister of the state on five occasions.
“Mr Swamy has no knowledge or information regarding his (Mr Karunanidhi) alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum case,” the notice read, adding that Mr Swamy has made a press statement saying that the 2G spectrum case was much wider than what is being investigated by the CBI and that you have personal knowledge that the alleged 2G scam also involves concerns of national security and involvement of Tamil Nadu chief minister,” the notice said.
Responding to the notice, Mr Swamy said it was a privileged statement repeated to the media and for which one cannot legal action. He said that he would be glad if Mr Karunanidhi moves the court. “This is what happens when there is an illiterate CM who has not even graduated,” Mr Swamy said, asserting that he has proof of Mr Karunanidhi and his family members involvement in the 2G scam and the proof would be produced in the court. Accusing the chief minister of committing contempt of court, Mr Swamy said that he would teach a less to him.