Tamil Nadu: Defamation Complaint against AIADMK Palaniswami and BJP Annamalai

Defamation complaints have been filed before a sessions court against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP state president K Annamalai for their statements concerning Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin regarding purported drug distribution in the state.

In a complaint filed on Thursday, City Public Prosecutor G Devarajan sought to prosecute the duo for offenses under section 499 and 500 IPC (Defamation). Devarajan, in his submitted complaint, alleged that Palaniswami, the state Leader of Opposition, made defamatory remarks against the CM during a recent press conference, with the intention of harming Stalin’s reputation regarding his conduct in the discharge of his public duties.

He asserted that although the chief minister has instituted several measures to accomplish a ‘Drug-free Tamil Nadu,’ the accused’s defamatory assertion wrongly links him with purportedly aiding drug peddlers in distributing contraband substances.

Devarajan underscored that, in fact, the Chief Minister, as part of his official duties, advocated for the eradication of narcotic drugs from the state during a meeting in 2022. This advocacy prompted the implementation of numerous measures, as evidenced by the Policy Note 2023-2024 of the Department of Home, Prohibition, and Excise, Government of Tamil Nadu.

He stressed that the accused’s defamatory assertions strike at the heart of ethical governance and public trust, besmirching the reputation of the esteemed office and undermining the principles of justice and integrity.

Devarajan pointed out that the ramifications of such defamatory statements extend beyond mere political rivalry, potentially causing irreparable harm to the social fabric of the State.

Devarajan also lodged a similar defamation complaint separately against Annamalai for his alleged defamatory statement on his ‘X’ account.

In response, AIADMK leader and former minister D Jayakumar remarked that it has become ‘routine’ for the ruling dispensation to file cases against his party leaders and workers.

“They have been doing so since they came to power in 2021. We will certainly face it, as people know the truth,” he stated.