The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) interim general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, registered a major legal victory on Wednesday with the Madras High Court ruling that only he, not expelled leader O. Panneerselvam, was entitled to take possession of the party headquarters in Chennai.
Justice N. Sathish Kumar quashed the proceedings initiated by the South Chennai Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) under Sections 145(1) and 146 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) to lock, seal and attach the party headquarters due to a violent clash between the supporters of the two leaders on July 11.
Though both leaders had challenged the RDO’s proceedings and insisted on handing over the keys to them, the judge held that Mr. Panneerselvam would not be entitled to possession of the headquarters since he was expelled from the party through a resolution, passed by its general council at Vanagaram on the day of violence.
