‘Defamation’: MP Anto Antony serves legal notice to Udayabhanu

Kottayam: Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony served a legal notice to CPM state committee member K P Udayabhanu, demanding Rs 1 crore as compensation for defaming him. The notice said the CPM leader made highly defamatory and unsubstantiated statements against Antony through his Facebook page, via live videos conducted on Jan 27 and Feb 8.In one of the videos, Udayabhanu said the SIT found that the Sabarimala tanthri deposited Rs 2.5 crore in Nedumparambil Finance, owned by N M Raju, and there was talk among the public that Antony took Rs 2.5 crore from the institution. CPM leader also said the SIT should probe Antony's financial dealings with the tanthri, the legal notice cited. The notice also cited that Udayabhanu said Antony received Rs 2 crore from Raju and returned only Rs 20 lakh. The notice asked Udayabhanu to remove those videos and issue an unconditional apology within 15 days of receiving the notice. Reacting to the notice, Udayabhanu said he would face it legally. "Why should I apologise? It is Antony who should apologise to society for receiving money," he said. He added that the list of other financial irregularities would soon come out. "The relevant matter was that Antony took Rs 2 crore from Raju, and Raju made it clear in a news conference. Antony agreed that he took the money. Antony should say why and how he took the money," Udayabhanu said. tnn