Court issues non-bailable warrant against Vijaykanth

A court in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder and Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly Vijaykanth after he failed to appear before it in connection with a defamation case filed by the Jayalalithaa government.

Additional district court directed the police to arrest the actor-politician and produce him before June 5.

The government advocate has filed the case, accusing Vijaykanth of making defamatory remarks against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during a public meeting at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli on August 6 last year.

The court had earlier issued a notice to Vijaykanth, directing him to appear on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in Chennai, DMDK said Vijaykanth would appear before the court on Thursday.

Terming the warrant as "unexpected", the party in a statement said Vijayakanth's urgent meeting with his party legislators to discuss the issue of them not being allowed to initiate debates in the assembly was the reason for the non-appearance of their leader in the court.

It said Vijaykanth had no intention of disrespecting court orders.