1. Defendants 1 and 2 in O.S. No.8966 of 1996 on the file of II Assistant City Civil Court, Chennai are the revision petitioners herein.

2. Suit filed by plaintiffs was one for recovery of damages of Rs. 1,00,500 with interest on the allegation that petitioners herein have caused publication defaming them by sending a letter dated 15. 1992 addressed to Secretary to Government, Industries Department, Madras. Copy of the said letter was sent to Deputy Director of Mines, Tirunelveli who made enquiries with plaintiffs. In para 15 of the plaint plaintiffs have said that defendants have published this petition by sending the same to the Secretary, Industries Department, Madras. The same was enquired by the Deputy Director of Mines. Tirunelveli regarding the allegations in the said petition. The plaintiff was shown the copy of the said petition sent by the defendants and the plaintiff had taken a copy of it. The plaintiff had to answer the allegation."

3. Plaintiff has taken a copy of the letter from the copy which was shown to him by the Deputy Director of Mines, Tirunelveli and the same was marked through plaintiff when he was examined. At the time when the document was ma