DRAFT| Madras HC to Hear Appeal Against Order Temporarily Restraining O Panneerselvam from Using AIADMK Symbol and Letterhead On Friday

The Madras High Court today agreed to hear the appeal against the order passed by a single judge bench on Tuesday granting interim injunction against expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), prohibiting him from using party's official symbol, flag, or letterhead until November 30.

The bench of Justices R Mahadevan & Mohammed Shaffiq posted the matter for hearing on Friday, November 10, 2023.

In a civil suit filed by the party’s general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar granted interim injunction against OPS.

During the court proceedings, OPS's counsel had informed the court about their appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Madras High Court's decision that validated OPS's expulsion from the AIADMK. This appeal is currently awaiting a case number, and they requested an adjournment.

Following this submission, Justice N Sathish Kumar had issued the interim injunction against OPS, preventing him from using AIADMK symbols, flags, and letterheads. The court had scheduled the next hearing on this matter on November 30.

Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK figurehead, Edappadi K Palaniswami, had approached the Madras High Court seeking a permanent injunction against OPS, preventing him from using the AIADMK's symbols, flags, and official letterhead.

Palaniswami had stated that the Election Commission had recognized their faction under clause 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotments) Order of 1968.

Furthermore, he had argued that the court had already confirmed OPS's expulsion from the party, thus rendering his use of the party's name, symbols, flags, or letterhead illegitimate.