In a significant legal development, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has filed a defamation suit against the Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), in the Madras High Court (MHC). The suit seeks Rs. 1 crore in damages for allegedly defaming Chief Minister MK Stalin by linking him with drug peddlers.Organizing Secretary of the DMK, RS Bharathi, filed the defamation suit, citing false statements made by EPS during a press conference on March 8. Bharathi emphasized that EPS’s allegations against the CM were malicious and politically motivated, aimed at gaining an unfair advantage.
The suit requests the court to issue an injunction against EPS, restraining him from making further defamatory statements linking the CM with drug peddling. Additionally, it demands Rs. 1 crore in compensation for the damages caused by EPS’s statements.
The legal action comes in response to EPS’s attempt to project the DMK government as facilitating the free flow of drugs in the state. Bharathi criticized EPS’s tactics, citing his role in a previous case where a drug peddler, Jaffer Sadiq, was released during EPS’s tenure as Chief Minister. He accused EPS of exploiting the issue for political mileage ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Bharathi clarified that there is no association between the DMK and Jaffer Sadiq, who was dismissed from the party. Sadiq’s position within the party was minor, serving only as a deputy secretary of the NRI wing in Chennai West. Bharathi emphasized that Sadiq’s actions were deceitful and did not reflect the stance or policies of the DMK.