DMK president M.K. Stalin has told the Madras High Court that merely heading a political party does not make him legally responsible for every social-media post published by its different wings or functionaries.
The submission came in response to a ₹1 crore defamation suit filed by Tamil Nadu Minister and TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna over a DMK IT Wing post concerning John Britto and a narcotics case.
Arjuna has alleged that a June 8, 2026 post published through the DMK IT Wing's X account wrongly described John Britto, linked to an alleged ₹258 crore narcotics case, as his relative. He has sought ₹1 crore in damages, an apology and other injunctive relief.
The Madras High Court had issued notice to Stalin and the DMK IT Wing in August. On September 15, the matter was adjourned after Stalin's counsel sought time to file a counter-affidavit.
In his counter, Stalin denied directing or approving any post linking Arjuna or his family to John Britto or the narcotics case. He argued that administrative control over party wings does not automatically create legal responsibility for their individual social-media publications.
“Merely because I am the President of the DMK, I cannot be held liable for every post published through the social-media accounts of the various wings or functionaries of the party,” Stalin contended.
He also questioned the claim of reputational injury and referred to other matters concerning Arjuna and his family, as well as statements allegedly made by Arjuna against him. Stalin sought dismissal of the suit with costs.
On September 22, the High Court considered Stalin's counter-affidavit. The DMK IT Wing sought additional time to place its response on record.
Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi accepted the request and adjourned further hearing of the matter to October 26, 2026.
No final decision on the ₹1 crore defamation claim was rendered on September 22.
