The Tamil Nadu government recently filed two criminal defamation cases in the Principal District and Sessions Court at Chennai against BJP state president K Annamalai and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswamy for their statements linking Chief Minister MK Stalin to the rampant drug peddling in the state.
Both K Annamali and Edappadi Palaniswami had made remarks alleging that the Chief Minister MK Stalin was involved in the distribution of contraband, Pseudoephedrine, by aiding drug peddlers in the state.
The complaint, lodged through the city public prosecutor under Section 199(2) of the CrPC read with Section 500 of the IPC mentions 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 also submitted that while CM MK Stalin has been actively taking measures to make a drug-free state, the alleged statements associate the Chief Minister with the distribution of drugs in the state without any evidence.
Highlighting several law enforcement activities undertaken by the state government, it was contended that the government is maintaining the Zero Cultivation status of Ganja and has also been taking action against interstate drug cartels. The complaint also pointed out the various awareness programs launched by the state government on the ill effects of drugs and the threat of drug addiction among the youth.
Furthermore, it was informed that Tamil Nadu had made efforts to form the 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 alleged that the defamatory statements made by the BJP state president and AIADMK general secretary were not only false but crafted to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Minister and these statements have inflicted significant damage upon MK Stalin.
The complaint stated that while the government is open to constructive criticism founded on facts, the present allegations are driven by political animosity. It urged the court to proceed against both the leaders 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.