The Madras High Court today stayed criminal defamation proceedings against actor Kamal Haasan, who is also the host of reality television show Bigg Boss, for allegedly degrading a particular community in the July 14 episode of the show.

Justice M S Ramesh granted the injunction while passing an interim order on a petition from producers Endemol India Private Limited and Vijay TV, the channel which has been airing the show since June 24.

Besides Haasan, the judge also stayed the proceedings against the firm and Vijay TV.

The defamation complaint was filed by the Tamil Nadu Isai Vellalar Welfare Association in a metropolitan magistrates court here on August 21.