MHC adjourns defamation plea of EPS in connection with Kodanad robbery

CHENNAI: Sticking to the plea that Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) will appear before the Master Court to record his evidence in the defamation case filed against Delhi-based journalist Mathew Samuel, the Madras High Court (MHC) has dismissed the matter. Postponed. ,

Senior advocate SR Rajagopal, appearing for Leader of Opposition (LoP) EPS, appeared before Justice N Satish Kumar and said his client would appear before the master court at the MHC premises on January 30 and 31 to record evidence in the defamation case. . Kodanad robbery in compliance with Division Bench order.

After the presentation, the judge posted the case for further hearing on February 8.

EPS filed an application in the MHC seeking to appoint an advocate commissioner to record his evidence at his residence in the defamation suit filed against Mathew Samuel to link him in the 2017 Kodanad robbery cum murder case.

The application said that since he is the LOP of the state, it would cause difficulty for other litigants and court staff as security protocols would have to be followed if he appears.

Following the submission, the MHC has appointed Karthikei Balan as an advocate commissioner to record evidence from the EPS at his residence.

In pursuance of the direction of the Court, the Advocate Commissioner recorded evidence from EPS at his residence and presented the evidence before the MHC on 12 January.

However, a division bench of Justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shafeeq heard a plea filed by Mathew Samuel challenging the appointment of an advocate commissioner and directed EPS to appear before the master court to record evidence.

In 2019, EPS filed a defamation suit and sought damages of Rs 1.10 crore from Mathew Samuel and his crew members, along with V. Sayan and C. Walayar Manoj, accused in the Kodanad case, by releasing a video accusing them of the Kodanad crime. Accused of involvement. ,