Setu remarks: Court summons DMK chief
4 Nov 2007, 0052 hrs IST
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TNN
MUMBAI: A magistrate’s court in Borivli has issued summons to DMK chief M Karunanidhi following a private complaint filed against him by a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionary over the Ram Setu remarks. Karunanidhi has been asked by magistrate A G Mohabe to remain present before him in Borivli’s 26th magistrate court on December 11.
However, Karunanidhi may not have to come to the city himself as his lawyers can move a higher court seeking exemption from personal appearance, while the matter is heard by the magistrate.
The complainant in the case is Arun Handa who holds the post of general secretary in VHP. “We were hurt by Karunanidhi’s remarks when he asked which engineering college had Lord Ram gone to, apart from other similar comments,” said advocate Gyanmurti Sharma. The speeches in question were made by Karunanidhi on September 15 and September 20, 2007.
Handa lodged a private complaint against Karunanidhi on September 26, 2007 for “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion” (Section 153-A of IPC) and “deliberate as well as malicious acts to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs” (Section 295-A of IPC).
“No lawyer was present in court from Karunanidhi’s side as this was only the first hearing,” Sharma said. He added that on the next date, Karunanidhi’s defence team is expected to be in court.
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