Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 15: The Karnataka high court has issued notice to Congress leaders including chief minister Siddaramaiah based on a petition filed by state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa. The high court also issued summons to the chief minister and other Congress leaders.

Yeddyurappa had filed a petition in the high court alleging that the Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah had been defaming and insulting him in their speeches in public. Yeddyurappa also stated that by referring to the cases that had been filed against him and in which he had been acquitted, the CM and the other Congress leaders had made speeches that were tantamount to insulting the dignity of the court.

Examining the petition, the high court decided to hold a public hearing and issued notices to the Congress leaders as well as to the Press Council of India and Broadcasting Corporation of India for giving publicity to the statements of these leaders.

The court has adjourned the hearing to March 26.

Reacting to the notice, CM Siddaramaiah denied that he had defamed Yeddyurappa. "It is a fact that Yeddyurappa was jailed. I have not lied nor defamed him," he said.