The Madras High Court on Monday permitted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to file a defamation suit seeking Rs 1.01 crore in damages from TVK ministers CTR Nirmal Kumar and Aadhav Arjuna, along with the party’s IT wing. The proposed suit relates to statements allegedly linking the DMK and its previous government to the POCSO case involving Gem Granites owner Veeramani.

The order was passed by Justice K Govindarajan Thilakavadi on a petition filed by DMK general secretary and former minister Duraimurugan. The DMK alleged that the two ministers made statements during media interviews claiming that its previous government had failed to take appropriate action against Veeramani, who was arrested in connection with allegations of sexual assault involving minor girls.

According to the petition, a complaint against Veeramani was received on October 6, 2025, and a case was registered the following day. The DMK maintained that the allegations made by the ministers were contrary to these facts and were intended to damage the party's reputation. The party also alleged that similar claims were published by the TVK's IT wing on social media platform X.

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Apart from seeking Rs 1.01 crore in damages, the DMK has sought an injunction preventing the ministers and the TVK IT wing from making further allegations against the previous government in connection with the case. The party has also sought directions to social media companies to remove posts and videos containing the allegations.

During the hearing, Advocate General Vijay Narayan, appearing for the ministers, argued that prior notice should have been issued before the suit was filed. He contended that the petition was not maintainable without such notice. Senior counsel J Ravindran, representing the DMK, argued that the ministers had been named in their individual capacities and not in their official roles.

The judge had reserved orders after hearing arguments from both sides. Monday's order only permits the DMK to proceed with filing the proposed defamation suit and does not determine whether the statements were defamatory or whether the party is entitled to damages. The case will therefore require further proceedings before the court can adjudicate the allegations and claims made by the parties.

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