Big Setback for OPS & Supporters, SC Refuses to Intervene with Order Rejecting Pleas Challenging Expulsion from AIADMK

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to intervene in the Madras High Court’s order rejecting the pleas of O Panneerselvam and his supporters against their expulsion from the AIADMK party through a general council resolution.

The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, conveyed to senior advocate K K Venugopal and other counsel representing Panneerselvam that it is not inclined to interfere with the high court’s order.

The bench reasoned that interfering with the resolution would be tantamount to allowing the ongoing civil court suit to proceed. The justices expressed concerns that intervening at this stage could lead to significant chaos, suggesting that allowing the situation to resolve itself might be preferable. They stated, “If we interfere at this juncture, it will create huge chaos. To us, it appears there is a split; it will work itself out. Sometimes, it’s better to let things work themselves out. Sorry, we are not inclined to interfere with the high court order.”

However, the Supreme Court directed an expeditious hearing of the pending suits and granted Panneerselvam (OPS) and his associates the liberty to submit an application for the consolidation of all the suits. OPS and his supporters have approached the top court to challenge the Madras High Court’s August 25, 2023 order, which dismissed all appeals against the March 28, 2023 verdict of a single judge.

In the high court, OPS and his supporters contested the abolition of the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator, the revival of general secretary posts, and their expulsion from the party as per the resolutions passed on July 11, 2022.