HC reserves orders in EPS’ defamation suit against Arappor

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Friday reserved orders in a defamation suit filed by former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami against Arappor Iyakkam for leveling tender irregularities charges in the highways department which allegedly caused a loss of Rs.692 crore to the State exchequer during EPS’ tenure as the State Highways Minister and CM.

Justice Krishnan Ramasamy reserved the order after hearing the arguments of EPS’ counsel and senior advocate SR Rajagopal and Arappor’s advocate S Nagasaila. Edappadi KnPalaniswami sought damages to the tune of Rs 1.10 crore from Arappor ‘for making false charges against him.

EPS submitted through his counsel that the defendant had made baseless against him to defame his name and image.

He further argued that there were no irregularities in awarding tenders during his term as the minister and chief minister. He further stated that since he was elected as the interim-general secretary of the AIADMK party and several disgruntled people of his party had joined hands with the Arappor Iyakkam and the current ruling party to lower his image.

However, Arappor Iyakkam submitted that the charges are not baseless and they are not in person to EPS. In a democratic country, people who are in public life have to face such situations and they should not mute people who are raising charges with valid documents fetched through the RTI Act.

Recording the submissions, the judge adjourned the matter for pronouncing the orders.