Tamil Nadu Govt Files Criminal Defamation Case Against K Annamalai & Edappadi Palaniswami For Statements Linking CM Stalin To Drug Peddling In State

Both Annamali and Palaniswami had made statements alleging that the Chief Minister was involved in the distribution of contraband, viz, Pseudoephedrine, by aiding drug peddlers in the State.

The complaint, filed through the city public prosecutor under Section 199(2) of the CrPC read with Section 500 of the IPC states that the statements were made with a malicious intent of gaining unjust political advantage and intending to harm the reputation of the Chief Minister in respect of his conduct in discharge of public functions.

It was further submitted that while the Chief Minister has been actively taking steps to make a drug-free state, the alleged statements associate the CM with the distribution of drugs in the State without any evidence.

Pointing to the various law enforcement activities undertaken by the government, it was submitted that the Government is maintaining the “Zero Cultivation” status of Ganja and has also been taking action against interstate drug cartels. The complaint also highlighted the various awareness programs initiated by the State government on the ill effects of drugs and the threat of drug addiction among the youth.

It was also informed that the State had made efforts to form “Enforcement Bureau CID” for the enforcement of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, NDPS Act, Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances Act, and Intellectual property rights.

The complaint thus alleged that the defamatory statements made by Annamalai and Palaniswamy were not only false but crafted to tarnish the reputation of the CM and these statements have inflicted significant damage upon the CM. The complaint further says that while the government is open to constructive criticism founded on facts, the present allegations are driven by political animosity. Thus, the Government, after carefully considering the materials, has accorded sanction for filing the present complaint.

The complaint thus prays the court to proceed against Annamalai and Palaniswamy for the offenses under Sections 499 and 500 of IPC and pass such other orders as may be deemed necessary in the interest of justice.