The Madras High Court has directed Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to cooperate with the police investigation in a case pertaining to alleged discrepancies in his affidavit during the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The court upheld the Salem court’s earlier order to register a case against him.In the 2021 Assembly elections, EPS contested from the Edappadi constituency in Salem district and emerged victorious. However, a complaint was filed by Milani, a resident of Theni district, alleging that EPS had provided false information, including incorrect details about his assets, in the affidavit submitted along with his nomination papers.
The complaint was taken up by the Salem court, which instructed the Salem Crime Branch Police to conduct a preliminary inquiry and file a case if prima facie evidence was found. Subsequently, EPS challenged this directive in the Madras High Court, which had earlier stayed the Salem court’s order temporarily.
Following detailed arguments from both sides, Justice Velmurugan of the Madras High Court dismissed EPS’s petition. The court further stated that the police could proceed with the investigation and that EPS must fully cooperate with the inquiry process.
This ruling marks a critical development in the case, as EPS now faces legal scrutiny for allegedly providing false information in his election affidavit. The outcome of the investigation could have significant political and legal implications for the former Chief Minister.