NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed a defamation case filed against Union Minister and BJP leader, L Murugan by DMK-affiliated Murasoli trust on his remarks made on the land under its possession in Chennai.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan set aside the Madras High Court's order which declined any relief to him.
The court took into record a statement from his counsel that the MP had no intention to injure or harm the reputation of the respondents in any manner.
Supreme Court Dismisses Defamation Case Filed by DMK’s Murasoli Trust
Senior advocate K Parameshwar, appearing for the appellant, also submitted that in the capacity of leader of a political party, the said statement was made, though there was no intention to cause any harm or injury to the reputation of the Trust.
In view of the statement, senior advocates Sidharth Luthra and N R Elango, appearing for Murasoli Trust, said that it will not prosecute the matter further.
Union Minister L Murugan Cleared of Defamation Charges Over 2020 Remarks
The court quashed the defamation proceedings, while also placing on record the appreciation for the graciousness shown by the trust.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin has been the managing trustee of Murasoli Trust.
Chennai-based, Murasoli Trust filed the defamation complaint against Murugan, for his alleged and defamatory statements made in a December 2020 press conference.
The court had in September 2023 stayed the proceedings, pending in a special court in Chennai.
Murugan challenged the September 5, 2023 order of the Madras HC order before the apex court.
The HC, while rejecting the petition of Murugan, said that it is left open to the petitioner (Murugan) to raise all the grounds before the trial court, which will be considered on its own merits and in accordance with law.
Murugan made the remarks against the trust’s land, addressing a press conference in 2020 as state BJP chief.
