The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday quashed the proceedings of a private complaint of defamation filed by V. Varun Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tiruchi Range, against Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman pending on the file of the Judicial Magistrate IV, Tiruchi. Justice L. Victoria Gowri observed that politicians’ right to criticise bureaucratic action was constitutionally protected. The line was crossed only where the law, strictly construed, was truly breached.