In a dramatic turn at a defamation case hearing, senior politician K. Annamalai, former Tamil Nadu BJP state president, conducted a direct cross-examination of DMK MP T.R. Balu over allegations related to the purchase of ships during Balu’s tenure as Union Minister for Shipping.
The proceedings took place on February 16, 2026 at the Saidapet Court in Chennai, where the court had granted Annamalai permission to examine Balu in the ongoing case.
The case stems from a defamation suit filed by Balu against Annamalai after the latter publicly accused him of amassing disproportionate assets and involvement in questionable ship procurement decisions. Annamalai had earlier released a document claiming that Balu and his family owned assets worth more than ₹10,000 crore, and alleged improprieties connected with government projects.
During the cross-examination, Annamalai questioned Balu about the number of ships purchased when Balu headed the Ministry of Shipping. Citing media reports and allegations, Annamalai asked whether Balu had procured 10 ships as part of the Sethu Samudram project or similar initiatives to benefit private interests.
In response, Balu denied the allegations, stating that he had not purchased 10 ships and that claims made in certain interviews or reports were inaccurate. He contended that he was only aware of the acquisition of two ships, dismissing the higher figure as imagination.
Annamalai pressed further, questioning why a defamation case had not been filed earlier if the claims about 10 ships were false, and sought clarity on the context and intent behind the reported decisions. The exchange highlighted the intense political and legal confrontation between the leaders, reflecting broader tensions between the BJP and the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu politics.
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