Karnataka CM sends ~1-billion defamation notice to PM, Shah

Stung by a volley of barbs against him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah over alleged corruption, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday sent legal notices to them warning he would file criminal and civil defamation cases.

Taking his running battle against Modi to a new level, Siddaramaiah also sent a notice to the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa, whom the Congress has repeatedly accused of corruption.

The notice asked them to tender unconditional apology or face a defamation suit for ~1 billion. Modi has repeatedly attacked Siddaramaiah over alleged corruption, calling his government “seedha rupaiya sarkar” (government that takes bribe for every work) and “10 per cent commission government.” During his campaign blitz, Modi has also alleged that while his government talked about ease of doing business, Siddaramaiah government was facilitating “ease of doing murders”, referring to the killing of Hindu activists.

In his notices, Siddaramaiah has sought ‘unconditional public apology’ immediately from the prime minister and others through electronic, print and social media failing which they would face legal action.

In his notices sent through his lawyer and Congress MLC, V S Ugrappa, Siddaramaiah said all the parties had jointly and severally committed libel and offences punishable under various IPC sections.