Date:04/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110461121200.htm

National

Mumbai court issues summons to Karunanidhi

Mumbai: A court here on Saturday issued summons to DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on a complaint filed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for his alleged “derogatory” remarks on Lord Ram.

Magistrate A.G. Mohabe of the 26th Metropolitan Court at suburban Borivali asked Mr. Karunanidhi to appear before it on December 11.

The complaint was filed by VHP’s Mumbai unit general secretary Arun Handa.

“The complaint has been filed under IPC sections 153 (promoting enmity between different religious groups) and 295 (intentionally outraging religious feelings),” Mr. Handa’s lawyer Gyanmurthi Sharma said.

“We have taken exception to Karunanidhi’s speech on September 15 and 20, in which he questioned the existence of Lord Ram and used derogatory remarks against him,” Mr. Sharma said. — PTI