Justice N Anand Venkatesh of Madras High Court stayed the proceeding of a criminal defamation case initiated against DMK president M K Stalin by the state for his alleged derogatory remarks against chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, during a public speech. also dispensed with the personal appearance of Stalin before the trial court till further orders.
According to the case, the defamation plea filed on behalf of the chief minister stated that the petitioner allegedly made defamatory statements while participating in a marriage held at Sholinganallur in Kancheepuram on January 20.
The extract of his speech was published in a Tamil daily on January 21. The home department issued an order, dated February 12, where the governor accorded sanction to prosecute the petitioner for the offence under section 499 (criminal defamation) of the IPC and authorised the district public prosecutor to file a complaint.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the Kancheepuram principal district judge issued summons to the petitioner directing his personal appearance on July 5, he added.
Claiming that the statement would not constitute defamation as it was in respect of chief minister’s conduct in the discharge of his public function, the petitioner wanted the court to quash the proceeding.
Madras HC stayed proceeding of criminal defamation case against M K Stalin by state govt
