1. The present Second Appeals have been filed by the appellants/plaintiffs, questioning the correctness of the Judgment and decree, dated 20.09.2005, passed by the Principal District Judge, Cuddalore, in A.S. Nos.6 and 7 of 2005, whereby, the judgment and decree passed by the Subordinate Judge, Panrutti, in O.S. Nos.94 and 132 of 1999 on 29.09.2004, dismissing the individual suits filed by the plaintiffs claiming compensation/damages from the defendant on the ground of defamation, came to be confirmed.

2. For better understanding and appreciation of the case and cause, the factual background in which the lis was initiated by the unsuccessful plaintiffs is necessarily to be re-capitulated particularly in regard to the claim of the respective plaintiffs/appellants that they individually suffered defamation by the act of the defendant/respondent.

i) S.Gurusamy Reddiar/appellant in Second Appeal No.142 of 2007 filed O.S. No.94 of 1999 against defendant-Purushothama Reddiar, who is none else than the blood brother of the son-in-law of Gurusamy Reddiar by name Dr.R.Jayachandran viz., the appellant in S.A. No.143 of 2007/plaintiff in O.S. no.132 of 1999, by pleading that he ha