Madras HC stays defamation case proceedings against DMK chief Stalin
What's the story
The Madras High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case against DMK president M K Stalin over certain remarks made by him against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami in September. Justice N Anand Venkatesh issued the interim order yesterday. A complaint was filed against Stalin over his public speech in Salem on September 18 allegedly criticizing the chief minister.
The trigger
Complaint filed over Stalin's public speech in Salem on Sept-18
Justice Venkatesh issued the order on a petition by Stalin against the proceedings arising out of a complaint filed against him under Section 500 (defamation) of the IPC over his alleged public speech in Salem, Tamil Nadu. The case was initially filed in a court in Salem and later transferred to the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs in Chennai.
The petition
Complaint filed with political motive to harass me, alleged Stalin
Stalin submitted that the trial court had failed to note that the allegations made against Palaniswami didn't amount to defamation. He alleged that the complaint had been filed with malicious and political motive to harass him. Making a statement against Palaniswami in his individual capacity cannot be said to be damaging the reputation of the office of the chief minister, the DMK chief submitted.
Information
The State public prosecutor opposed the plea by Stalin
The State public prosecutor, A Natarajan opposed the plea and argued that baseless and unsubstantiated allegations made by the petitioner against the chief minister constituted criminal defamation and hence, he can file a defamation complaint on behalf of the Chief Minister.