Madras High Court Stays Defamation Proceedings Against BJP State President Annamalai
The Madras High Court stayed defamation proceedings against the BJP Tamil Nadu State President K. Annamalai. The Court noted that the locus standi of the Complainant was not revealed in the complaint.
The Bench of Justice G. Jayachandran observed, “Since prima facie case is made out to quash the complaint which on the face of it, does not reveal the locus of the Petitioner to sustain the complaint, there shall be a stay of all further proceedings”.
Advocate V. Vanangamudi appeared for the Petitioner.
The Petitioner, a political leader, was facing a private complaint filed by V. Piyush. The Complainant alleged defamation based on an interview given by the Petitioner. The Trial Court had taken cognizance of the private complaint though there was no material evidence submitted. The Petitioner, in response, approached the High Cout seeking directions against the Complainant to submit how he was entitled to bear responsibility for the NGOs mentioned in the interview.
The Court noted that a prima facie case has been established to quash the complaint as it lacks clarity on the Complainant's legal standing to sustain the allegations. Consequently, the Court stayed all further proceedings.
Accordingly, the Court listed the matter on April 1, 2024.
Cause Title: K. Annamalai v V. Piyush
