Legal notice over TV remarks on CPI, ex-CM Achutha Menon
CPI leader Rajaji Mathew Thomas has issued a legal notice over alleged defamatory remarks against the party and former CM C. Achutha Menon aired on a TV channel.
A legal notice has been served on an advocate and a private television channel over remarks made during a live programme that allegedly defamed the Communist Party of India (CPI) and former Kerala Chief Minister C. Achutha Menon.
The notice was issued by advocate M. Salahudeen on behalf of Rajaji Mathew Thomas, a CPI national council member and Kerala State executive committee member, who also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Janayugom Publications Limited.
The action stems from comments allegedly made by advocate Jija James Mathew Kandathil during a programme broadcast on September 4. The notice claims the programme contained serious allegations, including that the CPI received an office in Madras as a consideration for renewing the Mullaperiyar agreement, and that this alleged benefit was obtained by deceiving the people of Kerala.
It also takes exception to the description of the late C. Achutha Menon as "the most corrupt man." The notice contends these assertions lack any credible factual basis and were made with the intent to damage the public standing of both the CPI and the former chief minister.
Further, the notice alleges the statements were made without proper fact-checking, apparently in an attempt to boost social media reach through sensational claims.
The demands include withdrawal of the allegations, removal of the programme video and its copies, an unconditional public apology, disclosure of documents supporting the claims, and payment of ₹1 crore as compensation.