Madras HC Bars OPS from Using AIADMK Symbols, Flag & Letterhead

The Madras High Court issued an order on Monday restraining expelled AIADMK leader O Paneerselvam from utilizing the official letterhead, reserved symbol “Two Leaves,” and the party flag. Justice N Sathishkumar delivered the verdict on a suit and applications filed by AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Originally, Justice Sathishkumar had issued an interim order on November 7, 2023, restraining Paneerselvam from employing the party letterhead, symbol, and flag, as per a suit filed by Palaniswami. Subsequently, Paneerselvam, known as OPS, appealed the decision.

On January 11, 2024, a division bench comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq dismissed the three appeals filed by OPS. However, they granted liberty to the expelled leader to approach the single Judge by filing necessary applications seeking to vacate any order passed against him. The bench added that upon filing such applications, the Judge would consider and pass appropriate orders, based on their merits and in accordance with the law. Accordingly, Paneerselvam approached the single judge.

Following earguments from both sides, Justice Sathishkumar allowed the applications stemming from the suit filed by Palaniswami and issued the present order.

The power struggle between the top two leaders saw Panneerselvam being expelled by a general council of the AIADMK in July 2022. Subsequently, Palaniswami was elected as the top leader of the main opposition party.