SC says Jayalalithaa using cases to choke democracy

The Supreme Court on Wednesday again reprimanded Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa for using defamation cases to "throttle (choke) democracy" and asked her to face criticism as she was a public figure.

"The government cannot use state machinery to file criminal defamation cases against political opponents. It should focus more on good governance," the bench asserted.

The court's observations came on a petition filed by DMDK (Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam) chief Vijayakanth seeking quashing of defamation cases filed against him by the state government.

The court had on July 28 said defamation cases should not be used as a weapon against critics of governments and had stayed non-bailable warrants issued against actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth and his wife Premlata in such matters.

State government counsel had given a report which said 200 defamation cases had been filed in the past five years, of which 55 were against media and 85 involved Jayalalithaa.

Over two dozen cases were filed against Vijayakanth and others for being critical of Jayalalithaa and her government.

The bench also issued fresh summons against the public prosecutor and posted the matter for further hearing on September 21.

Earlier, the apex court had said that anyone calling a government corrupt or unfit cannot be slapped with a defamation case.

It had said that cases relating to criticising the government or bureaucrats had a "chilling effect" and there has to be tolerance to criticism.

The court had also sought the list of defamation cases filed by the public prosecutors in Tamil Nadu on behalf of the Chief Minister against her critics.

Earlier, the apex court had issued notice to Jayalalithaa on a plea by Vijayakanth seeking stay on proceedings on criminal defamation cases filed against him through public prosecutors.