He contended that Dinakar has defamed him in the book 'lowering' his reputation. He had earlier threatened to sue Dinakar.

Gopal, who had gone to the forests as an emissary to secure the release of Kannada actor Rajakumar, has also made Delhi-based Rashtra Rachana Printers and Konark Publishers as respondents in his petition filed in a metropolitan court.

The petition has been posted for further hearing on December 24, Gopal said in a statement.

Gopal said he had taken up reporting on the sandalwood smuggler Veerappan as 'a challenge' and had ventured into the jungles to unravel the mystery surrounding the bandit in the "interest of journalism".

Gopal stated that all interviews on Veerappan had been published in the press and aired on TV and that copies of all the recordings had been submitted to both the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments.

He reiterated that all his activities have been strictly professional without "prejudicing" the interest of the public.

Referring to the Rajakumar abduction episode, he said both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had asked him to go as an emissary. Though he initially refused, both states had given him authorisation letters.

Meanwhile, the family members of slain Janata Dal, United, leader H Nagappa were provided police protection, even as they met Governor T N Chaturvedi and sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the mystery surrounding the killing of the former minister.