Stalin made the submission in a counter-affidavit opposing applications for interim relief in a ₹1 crore defamation suit filed by Tamil Nadu Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna.
The suit was filed against Stalin by Arjuna over a DMK IT Wing post that linked him to a person accused in a ₹258 crore drug trafficking case.
“The mere fact that I am the President of the DMK does not render me liable for every post published through the social media accounts of the various wings/functionaries of the party,” Stalin has contended.
Stalin said that while he exercises administrative control over office bearers of the party’s various wings, this cannot translate into legal liability for their individual acts. He specifically denied instructing or approving any post linking Arjuna or his family to a person named John Britto or to a drug trafficking case.
Arjuna’s suit is pending before Justice K Govindarajan Thilakavadi. The High Court had earlier issued notice to Stalin and the DMK IT Wing. The matter had earlier been adjourned till today (September 22), after Stalin sought time to file his counter-affidavit. He has sought the dismissal of the interim applications filed by Arjuna with exemplary costs.