Sessions court orders issue of summons to PMK founder S Ramadoss

CHENNAI: A sessions court here today ordered issue of summons to PMK founder S Ramadoss in connection with a defamation case filed against him by Tamil Nadu government.

First Additional Sessions Judge Malathi ordered issue of summons to Ramadoss for his appearance on January 20 next year on the defamation case filed by the government for his recent derogatory press statement over alleged irregularities in the procurement of pulses.

Condemning the statement of Ramadoss, Food Minister R Kamaraj had stated that procurement of pulses for distribution through Public Distribution System was being done transparently under the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act.

He said Ramadoss had issued the statement with "ulterior political motives" to "defame the government", adding, the government would file a defamation case against him.

Ramadoss had challenged the Food Minister to face the issue in the court.