A court here today refused to pass any interim order restraining CPI(M) veteran V S Achutanandan on a defamation suit filed against him by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for making 'baseless charges'.
Rejecting the plea by Chandy's counsel for an injunction, First Additional District Court Judge K P Indira observed that the court should not be made a venue for politics.
The Judge observed that any interim order at this stage may affect the republican form of political system of state as the assembly election is scheduled to be held on May 16.
In the suit seeking Rs one lakh compensation, Chandy contended that the statment of Achuthanandan that he was facing 36 corruption cases and that his cabinet colleagues have 136 cases against them was baseless and defamatory.
He accused Achuthanandan of making such defamatory statements before television channels and other media for the 'sole purpose of maligning' him.
Chandy, who is contesting as Congress-UDF candidate from Puthupally, said the statements were 'scandalous, libellous and showers sarcasm and contempt on the plaintiff'.
When the matter came up for hearing, Chandy's counsel told the court that no case was pending against him as alleged by Achuthanandan.
Achuthanandan's counsel said prima facie there were documents to support the statement of the Marxist leader that the Chief Minister and other ministers were facing many cases.
He also produced a list of 12 cases pending against Chandy before the Lok Ayukta.
Chandy's counsel sought an interim order to restrict Achuthanandan saying the latter was raising baseless allegations in view of the elections.
Achuthanandan's counsel also said his client stood by the allegations brought by him.
He sought more time for presenting the defence arguments, considering which the court posted the case to May 12.
Meanwhile, 93-year-old Achuthanandan in a Facebook post mocked at Chandy and said he had tried to run from poll area by approaching the court.
He got what he deserved. He also tried to gag me and got a fitting reply from court, the CPI-M veteran said.
