Adimaly resident Mariyakutty, 87, a vocal protester against the state government’s handling of her welfare pension, has taken legal action by filing a defamation petition against Deshabhimani, a CPM mouthpiece, alleging the publication of false news.
Accompanied by her lawyer, Mariyakutty appeared before the judge at the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court in Adimaly on Thursday afternoon. She expressed her grievance to the media, stating, “The newspaper and the CPM supporters have spread fake news about me owning one-and-a-half acres and two houses.”
Further explaining the misinformation, Mariyakutty said, “The news item carried in the newspaper said that my daughter is working abroad, while her actual job is selling lotteries at Adimaly bus stand. This intentional attempt to spread falsehood against me has pained me a lot, and that is the reason I have taken up the matter legally.”
The Millumpadi native gained attention when she was photographed begging on the streets with her 80-year-old friend, Annamma Ouseph.
The respondents in the case include the reporter, the paper’s Idukki bureau chief, the news editor, and the chief editor of Deshabhimani. Respondents five to 10 are individuals accused of spreading the alleged fake news on social media.
Advocate Pratheesh Prabha, representing Mariyakutty, explained the legal approach: “As it is a defamation petition, Mariyakutty could not file a complaint with the police. Hence, she has filed a private petition in the court. Her statement will be recorded on November 25 in the court, and two other witnesses will also be giving their statements before the magistrate. Thereafter, notices will be issued to the respondents.”
The contentious article claimed Mariyakutty owns land at Pazhampillichal in the Mannamkandam Village. However, Mariyakutty obtained an authentication letter from the Mannamkandam village officer confirming she does not own any land in the village limit.
Despite a rejoinder by Deshabhimani citing the lack of facts in the news item, Mariyakutty insists she will not settle the matter until CPM functionaries meet her in person and offer an apology.
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