Kodanad case: HC rejects AIADMK plea to restrain Stalin

Recording the submission made by the Election Commission’s counsel that action has already been taken on a complaint against Stalin in this regard, a Division Bench comprising Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad said, “Since the complaint has been acted upon, the writ petition has become infructuous and hence dismissed.”

AIADMK spokesperson R M Babu Murugavel had submitted that the election code prohibits levelling false statements by any candidate or his agent or any other person in public domain. This apart, the EC from time to time has issued general advisory instructing the candidates to maintain high standard during election campaigns.

While so, Stalin and the DMK with an intention to damage the name, fame and reputation of Palaniswami have been circulating video clippings on social media that links the CM with the Kodanad case, Murugavel contended. He further submitted that the Chief Minister has moved a civil suit in the High Court in connection with the issue and has obtained an injunction against certain persons from making such statements.

But while the interim injunction is still operative, the DMK and its leaders were making wild allegations against the CM in most of their election campaigns, which are per se defamatory and scandalous, Murugavel said.

However, the EC’s counsel, Niranjan Rajagopalan, submitted that the Chief Electoral Officer has already directed the District Electoral Officer in Tiruvarur to file an action taken report (ATR). Subsequently, a notice has been issued to Saptharishi, a functionary attached to DMK’s district students’ association, calling for an explanation, Rajagopalan said.