Mandya: Actress Sumalatha, who is contesting as an independent candidate from Mandya, has replied to the notice issued to her by Mandya DC Manjushri, on Friday, for alleging that the State Government was misusing official machinery to her disadvantage.

In her two page reply to the notice on Saturday, Sumalatha defended herself saying that her statements to the media were close to reality and factual in nature and the notice served on her was aimed at covering up the lapses on the part of district poll authorities.

Maintaining that she had only expressed her views as per the freedom she enjoys, Sumalatha said that what she had told the media were facts. As such, she had done nothing wrong and that the charges made against her under IPC Section 189 were incorrect. As such, the notice should be withdrawn at the preliminary stage itself, she said.

Sumalatha said that she had only highlighted the wrongdoings done by the DC and her staff and her statements were not aimed at criticizing any poll officer or staff.