Chennai: AIADMK leaders and former Chief Ministers Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam have been summoned to appear before a special court on 24 August, in connection with a criminal defamation case.
Additional Special Court judge Alizia issued the summons. In his complaint, Pugazhendhi sought the court to punish the duo for offences under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC for expelling him from AIADMK’s primary membership and accusing him of having indulged in anti-party activities and violated its rules.
Pugazhendhi said that on 14 June, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam announced that Pugazhendhi had been expelled from the post of official spokesperson of the party in view of his anti-party activities.
The communication also informed that he was removed from the primary membership of the party, he said.
Alleging that the expulsion letter levelled vague and baseless allegations against him, he submitted that he had not committed any misconduct, which had caused disrepute and defame to the party in any manner and never acted in contravention of any rule and regulations of the party.
No show cause notice was issued nor a formal enquiry was conducted. The expulsion has caused mental agony and tarnished his image, he added and sought to punish the two leaders.