In a significant development, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu appeared before a special court in Chennai to contest a defamation case filed by AIADMK functionary RM Babu Murugavel. The case, being heard in the special court constituted for MPs and MLAs, revolves around allegations made by the Speaker during a public event in November 2023.The petitioner, who serves as the joint secretary of AIADMK’s legal wing, had initiated legal action against Appavu, accusing him of making defamatory statements regarding AIADMK MLAs in the aftermath of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s demise. Murugavel contends that Appavu, in his speech, claimed that more than 40 AIADMK Assembly members were ready to shift allegiance to the DMK at that time. Furthermore, Appavu alleged that a senior AIADMK leader approached him seeking assistance in facilitating the defection, but DMK leader MK Stalin refused to take advantage of the situation, choosing to wait for a public mandate instead.
The AIADMK leader has labeled these claims as baseless and defamatory, asserting that Appavu’s remarks were designed to tarnish the image of the AIADMK party. Murugavel’s petition stresses that the statements made by the Speaker are fictitious and aimed at damaging the reputation of the party and its leadership.
During his court appearance, Speaker Appavu denied the petitioner’s claim that he had refused to accept the court’s summons. He clarified that no summon order had ever reached his official residence, a fact that was placed on record by the court. After hearing the submissions, the court has scheduled the next hearing for September 26, 2024, when further proceedings will take place.