Karnataka govt mulling to bring law to prevent 'malicious attacks' on public figures

Ministers in the Karnataka govt said such law is needed because "blackmailing has become a business" and politicians are being targeted.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka is mulling over bringing in a law to prevent "false and malicious attacks" on public figures. Top sources in the state government have told India Today TV that this is necessary because there are people who are "trying to blackmail" politicians. The development comes at a time when a state minister has recently resigned over allegations of his involvement in a "sex scandal", while six ministers on Saturday secured an injunction order to prevent the media from publishing "defamatory" news about them in a different matter. Speaking to India Today TV, Karnataka Agriculture Minister BC Patil said the law is required because some people are "making blackmailing a business".