Sasikanth sues mining baron Karnataka BJP legislator for linking him to Dharmasthala case

BENGALURU: Congress MP representing Tiruvallur constituency Sasikanth Senthil on Saturday said he has filed a criminal defamation case against Karnataka BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy in a court here for making allegations and linking him to the Dharmasthala case and rejected the claims as politically motivated and reckless.

Alleging that it was a “right wing coordinated attempt” as he opposes their politics, Sasikanth, who had served as an IAS officer in Karnataka in the past, including as Deputy Commissioner in Dakshina Kannada district, said that he also feels somewhere Tamil Nadu politics is being pushed in Karnataka.

Senthil asserted that he had no connection with the case and rejected the allegations. Reddy, who is with the BJP, had last month claimed the entire Dharmasthala case was orchestrated through Sasikanth. “Recently, the Gangavathi MLA, on the basis of some WhatsApp message, has taken my name accusing me of being scriptwriter and mastermind (behind allegations against Dharmasthala). Initially I felt, should I respond to such childish comments? But daily some story is being cooked up,” Sasikanth said.

Speaking to reporters here he said, “In the public interest and my own right against defamation, I have taken action legally. I have filed a criminal defamation case against Janardhan Reddy, who had taken my name. Court has taken cognisance of it. He will be served a notice. He (Reddy) will have to come and answer to the court as to on what basis allegations were made against me,” he said, adding that the hearing on the case will be on September 11. He further warned that those making stories against him in connection with the case will also face criminal action. Terming the Dharmasthala case as a coordinated effort to malign a sacred Hindu institution, Reddy had also alleged that the complainant, who is from Tamil Nadu, had “close ties” with Sasikanth.

Responding to a question, the Congress MP said, “Allegations are being made against me stating that I am from Tamil Nadu and he (complainant) is also from Tamil Nadu. There was also a police officer here from Tamil Nadu. He is directly in opposition to me there... I don’t know why his name has not come. “

He further said, “I’m opposing right wing politics across the country, so I resigned from my job (as IAS officer). I had mentioned it in my resignation letter too. Keeping this in mind, I feel that politically motivated allegations are being made against me...”

A controversy erupted after a complainant CN Chinnaiah was arrested on charges of perjury, claimed burying a number of bodies, in Dharmasthala.