Escalating matters further in the ongoing tussle ahead of elections to the South Indian Film Artists Association, or Nadigar Sangam, Sarath Kumar has filed a criminal defamation complaint against actor Vishal at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Egmore in Chennai. The complaint states that Vishal has made false allegations in the media and at public events in Trichy and Namakkal.

Speaking to The News Minute, Sarath Kumar’s counsel V Elango said that the actor-politician came to the Egmore court himself at 11AM on Friday morning to file the case. “The judge has looked through the complaint and has listed it for the next hearing on October 12,” said Elango.

Sarath Kumar had earlier slapped a legal notice on Vishal for making false allegations of corruption in Nadigar Sangam against him and his team. Vishal has since replied that he will not apologize. So, Sarath Kumar decided to go ahead with the defamation case.

Elango also told The News Minute that they will soon be filing a civil suit against Vishal at the Madras High Court seeking damages of Rs. 10 crore for making false allegations.

It has been conveyed to The News Minute by the Pandavar Ani camp that Vishal will fight the case legally. Pandavar Ani camp says that they will not step back from their campaign.

The elections are scheduled to be held on October 18.

You can read about the controversy in detail here.