Tamil Nadu government on Thursday filed a defamation complaint in the Principle Sessions Court in Chennai against Tamil magazine "Nakkeeran" for publishing an article allegedly intending to tarnish the image and reputation of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

City Public Prosecutor M L Jegan filed the criminal defamation complaint on behalf of Jayalalithaa for publishing the article.

In the complaint, Jegan submitted that the May 20-23 issue of the weekly published a news article under the title "Containeril Pannam Pathukkal, Marraikapatta Unmaigal.

Sikkiya Aavanangal" (The cash that was kept in containers, hidden truths, seized documents).

He submitted that the entire article published was "baseless and beyond the truth and only with an intention to tarnish the image and the reputation of the Chief Minister who was elected with massive support of the people".

"The article is completely baseless and unsubstantiated", Jagan submitted and said "the act of publishing the article attracts criminal defamation".

He prayed to the court to take cognizance of the alleged offence under IPC sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) against its Editor, Special Correspondent and reporter.