1. The second appeal has been preferred challenging the Judgment and Decree dated 21.08.2007 made in A.S.No.80 of 2006 on the file of the Sub-Court, Udhagamandalam, confirming the Judgment and Decree dated 29.09.2006 made in O.S.No.124 of 2004 on the file of the District Munsif, Kothagiri.

2. The unsuccessful plaintiff before the trial court is the appellant herein. The suit was filed by the appellant / plaintiff, before the trial court, seeking damages to the tune of Rs.25,000/-from the respondent / defendant with costs, on the ground that the defendant had sent a petition to the District Collector, Nilgris, containing false and defamatory averments.

3. The appellant / plaintiff has stated in the plaint that he was serving as Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of Konavakorai village, as a post-graduate, having sufficient means and reputation in the village. The village to which he belongs is the revenue village of Naduhatty and there are many Revenue villages within the territory of Kaigar at Pedthala of Nilgris District.

4. According to the appellant / plaintiff, the respondent / defendant had migrated from Kalinganatty village to Byangi village few years prior to the