Captain's late court entry triggers advocates' clash

Captain's late court entry triggers advocates' clash

The sudden and delayed entry of Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant into a court here triggered a clash between two groups of lawyers on Monday.

Sources said that DMDK founder and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Vijayakant was here to appear before a court in connection with a defamation case filed against him.

The case was filed against Vijayakanth for making defamatory remarks against Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa during a public meeting in the town on October 16, 2012, by Public Prosecutor A Gnanasekar at District and Sessions court at Nagercoil.

Following this, the court issued summons to Vijayakanth asking him to appear before it.

However, the DMDK leader failed to appear before the court even though he was issued notice thrice. Finally, he came to the court on Monday when the fourth hearing in the case was scheduled to be held.

Till 10.30 am, Vijayakanth did not reach the court. Even when his name was called by the court staff, the DMDK leader failed to appear. Therefore, the trial of the next case began and argument was going on in the same court.

Meanwhile, all of a sudden Vijayakant along with his supporters entered the court hall without prior information and stood near the witness box.

The sudden entry of Vijayakant and the noise created by his followers led a commotion and this was strongly objected by Public Prosecutor Gnanasekar and other advocates who were present in the court hall.

This triggered a verbal duel between the Public Prosecuter’s team and DMDK advocates. Party men  also joined the duel.

After a heated exchange, the DMDK advocates and colleagues of the Public Prosecuter started exchanging blows inside the court hall in the presence of District Sessions Judge A Chinna Raj.

A security personnel of Vijayakant and the PP Gnanasekar, who suffered injuries in the clash, were taken to a private hospital in the town.

In the meantime, Vijayakant after finishing court formalities left the court hall.

A formal complaint was lodged with the District Judge in connection with the clash inside the court hall, sources said.

Police, earlier, as a precautionary measure made tight security around the District and Sessions court complex in view of the DMDK leader’s visit.

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