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Proceedings in defamation case against Cong leader EVKS Elangovan stayed

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Granting interim relief to former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President EVKS Elangovan, the Madras High Court on Monday stayed all proceedings against him, before a Special Court for cases against MPs and MLAs. Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan was hearing a plea by Elangovan to quash the criminal defamation proceedings filed against him in connection with his press briefing at Samayapuram in Trichy district on August 26, 2018.

In addition to staying all proceedings, the Justice also dispensed with Elangovan’s personal appearance in court. The next date of hearing will be on April 22.

According to a report in The Times of India, the prosecution contended that Elangovan had spoken ill of the state ministers and made defamatory remarks with regard to the Kollidam bridges in Sirkazhi taluk of Nagapattinam district in the state.

The petition against Elangovan stated that his claim that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had initiated inquiry against the ruling party leaders in connection with the frequent damages suffered by the Kollidam bridges was defamatory in nature.

Elangovan contended that there was nothing defamatory in his speech against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and added that the case was foisted on him due to political enmity.

Elangovan submitted that a case was registered based on his alleged defamatory speech and the same was pending before the Principal Sessions Judge in Trichy, where he had appeared on February 12. Later, the case was transferred to the Special Court and he appeared before it on March 21.

Elangovan, a member of the Congress party, represented the Gobichettipalayam constituency in Tamil Nadu.

He was made the president of TNCC by All India Congress Committee Chief (AICC) Sonia Gandhi on October 31, 2014. A few weeks ago, EVKS Elangovan resigned from the post following Congress’s poor show in the May 16 Assembly elections.

Source: The News Minute