Land row: Activist threatens to sue CM for defamation

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Peeved at being called a blackmailer, activist T J Abraham on Friday warned Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that he would initiate a criminal defamation case against the latter if he did not withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.

He said the chief minister had made an utterly false and frivolous allegation against him.

"You have followed up your statement before the media with a Tweet on 'X', in Kannada, calling me a blackmailer. I hereby call upon yourself to publicly withdraw your statement expressing your regret and issue a public apology, failing which I will be constrained to initiate proceedings for criminal defamation against you, in the Courts of Law," Abraham said in a post on 'X'.

The activist said, "I am pained, deeply hurt and defamed, with the utterly defamatory statement made against me today in front of the Media, in Mysuru, labeling me a 'Blackmailer.'”

He said several news channels broadcast the news where the CM called him a 'blackmailer'.

"Your act of defaming me out of desperation, because I am perusing a case of Criminal Manipulations culminating in MUDA illegally allotting four alternative sites to your family, which is corrupt gains orrupt means, for yourself and your family, enriching illegitimately," Abraham said.