Chennai, June 29 () A court here today issued summons to DMK President M Karunanidhi in a defamation case, filed on his behalf in 2011 when he was chief minister, to appear and explain whether the privilege to be represented through the Public Prosecutor available to those in public office should extend even after demitting the office. Raising the question of law, Principal Sessions Judge G Jayachandran directed Karunanidhi to appear before the court on July 27 and explain whether the privilege can be extended even after demitting the public office.