M. K. Stalin files counter-affidavit in Minister Adhav Arjuna's defamation suit

M. K. Stalin, former Chief Minister and DMK leader, has filed a counter-affidavit in the Madras High Court regarding a defamation lawsuit filed by Public Works Department Minister Adhav Arjuna. The Minister is seeking ₹1 crore in damages following social media posts by Stalin that alleged a connection between Arjuna and John Britto, an individual identified by the Enforcement Directorate as a key figure in a ₹258 crore drug trafficking case.

In his response, Stalin argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed with costs. He contended that Arjuna is approaching the court with “unclean hands,” noting that the Minister is facing a CBI investigation related to a fatal crowd crush incident in Karur, which was disclosed in his Villivakkam constituency nomination papers.

Stalin further stated that he did not authorize or instruct the DMK IT Wing to publish posts linking the Minister to the drug trafficking case. He maintained that as party leader, he cannot be held responsible for various posts made by different party factions on social media. The counter-affidavit also noted that Arjuna did not deny the existence of a relative named John Britto who is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate.