Madras High Court Orders Interim Stay on Police Investigation into Election Allegations Against AIADMK General Secretary
Chennai: The Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the police investigation into the election allegations against AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. This move came after a resident named Milani from Uttamapalayam, Theni district, filed an individual case in the Salem court, seeking action against Palaniswami under the Representation of the People Act. Milani alleged that Palaniswami had provided false information in his election nomination petition and affidavit, including property details.
The Salem court conducted an investigation into the complaint and ordered the Salem District Crime Branch to file a case and submit a report by May 26. In response, Edappadi Palaniswami filed a petition in the Madras High Court, seeking a stay on the order and the quashing of the investigation. The High Court heard the petition and instructed the police department to respond to the case, while advising them not to exaggerate the matter.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami has filed a contempt of court case against Salem Central Crime Branch Inspector Pushparani and Assistant Inspector Gunasekar in the Madras High Court. He claimed that they obtained his bank account details from an Indian Bank branch in Salem, defying the court’s order. In his petition, Palaniswami argued that the investigation was a violation of the court’s order and requested that the two officials be punished under the contempt of court act.
The contempt of court case was heard by Justice Ilandraiyan on Wednesday, where Inspector Pushparani and Assistant Inspector Gunasekar submitted an unconditional apology for their actions. Accepting their apology, the judge closed the contempt of court case and prohibited the police department from further investigation into the election charges registered by the Salem District Crime Branch against Edappadi Palaniswami until a final order is issued.
This interim stay by the Madras High Court has halted the ongoing police investigation into the election allegations against AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. The court will now await the final order before proceeding with the case, ensuring a fair and unbiased process.