Madras High Court to hear plea against sealing of AIADMK headquarters in usual course

Madras High Court on Wednesday said that it would hear the plea filed by AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and ousted leader O Panneerselvam challenging the lock and seal of party headquarters at Royapettah in their usual course.

After the party headquarters were sealed by revenue authorities following violent clashes, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam approached the Madras High Court.

Justice N Satishkumar told the counsel appearing on behalf of AIADMK leaders that the matter would be taken up in due course, after the same was mentioned before him.

Revenue authorities sealed the AIADMK headquarters on the Avvai Shanmugham Salai in Chennai on Monday under Section 145 of CrPC (disputed property) following violent clashes between the supporters of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam.

Palaniswami alleged that the entire event relating to the clash at the party headquarters on Monday was a pre-meditated one, orchestrated with police support.

He added that there was no dispute with regard to the ownership or possession of the premises and said property was owned by AIADMK and the party had been in possession of it.

While AIADMK submitted that Panneerselvam has no claim to the party whatsoever and by way of a legally convened meeting, he was removed as a primary member of the party, Panneerselvam occupied the headquarters premises for over two hours and left only at the instance of the government officials who asked him to vacate the place.

This led to the scuffle between the two sides and complaints have also been filed by them against each other leveling allegations of violence and assault. Police have so far booked 400 persons in connection with Monday’s violence inside and outside the AIADMK headquarters.