Kochi: BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a ₹100 crore defamation notice to the Malayalam news channel Reporter TV for allegedly broadcasting continuous “fake news” related to a BPL land deal, a company with which he claims to have no association. The notice demands that the channel withdraw the false news and issue an unconditional apology within seven days.
The legal notice, sent through the Mumbai-based law firm RHP Partners, has been served on nine individuals, including Reporter TV owner Anto Augustine, Consulting Editor Arun Kumar, Coordinating Editor Smrithi Paruthikad, News Coordinator Jimmi James, and Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Chief T.V. Prasad.
Allegations are Baseless, Says Notice
The notice highlights that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated. BPL Limited had previously clarified that Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is also a businessman, has no financial transactions or shareholding in the company. The notice asserts that the media outlet is resurrecting old allegations of irregularities in land allocation, which were dismissed by the Supreme Court in 2003.
Chandrasekhar had earlier stated that these controversies were being manufactured to divert attention from a scam related to the proposed visit of the Argentinian football team and Lionel Messi to Kerala. He also remarked that some “criminals” have entered the media sector and that he would confront them.
