Former Tamil Nadu BJP State President K Annamalai on Monday, 16 February 2026, said he personally cross-examined DMK MP and party treasurer TR Baalu for nearly three hours in an ongoing defamation case linked to the BJP leader’s earlier “DMK Files” allegations, and announced that he would initiate a fresh defamation suit over remarks made against his wife during court proceedings.
The case stems from a press conference held by Annamalai during his tenure as state BJP chief, where he released a document titled “DMK Files,” listing alleged assets of senior DMK leaders, including TR Baalu. Following this, Baalu filed a defamation case against him, which is currently being heard at the Saidapet Court in Chennai.
Appearing in person for the hearing, Annamalai addressed reporters outside the court and said he had chosen to argue the case himself despite having senior legal counsel.
“In the defamation case filed against me by former Union Minister TR Baalu, I got the opportunity today to directly cross-examine him for three hours. In India, only in a few cases do the concerned individuals personally argue their cases. Because I have full confidence in the corruption charges we raised through DMK Files Part 1 and Part 2, and the allegations I levelled against him, I withdrew the affidavit filed by our senior counsel and appeared personally as an ordinary citizen to argue,” he said.
He added that the cross-examination was adjourned as Baalu had to leave to catch a flight scheduled for 2:15 PM. The next round of cross-examination, he said, has been deferred to 7 April 2026 due to Baalu’s parliamentary commitments throughout March.
Questions Raised During Cross-Examination
Annamalai said several questions were put to Baalu during the proceedings but declined to reveal full details as the matter is sub judice.
He, however, indicated that queries related to:
- The Sethusamudram project
- Alleged liquor distillery links
- Companies run by Baalu’s family
- The ownership of the car in which Baalu arrived at court
- Financial liabilities and loans
He said more questions would be raised in the next hearing.
Fresh Defamation Case Over Wife Allegation
The BJP leader said a fresh defamation case would be filed after Baalu allegedly accused him in court of purchasing property in his wife’s name through corrupt means.
“Instead of answering my questions, he raised a new allegation that I bought property in my wife’s name through corruption,” Annamalai said, adding that he questioned Baalu on whether he knew his wife’s educational background, employment, or income – to which, he claimed, Baalu responded in the negative.
He said the property in question was agricultural land purchased through legitimate means.
“The land was bought after paying proper income tax, and we obtained a ₹2.5 crore bank loan for it. Without knowing what my wife studied, where she works, or how much she earns, he made defamatory allegations,” he said.
Annamalai stated that through the new defamation case, he would publicly disclose financial records covering the past 15 years, including salaries earned by him and his wife, loans taken, and bank transactions.
He added that his wife is an IIM Bangalore graduate who has worked in companies in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Chennai Stay, Party Funds Clarification
Responding to another allegation, Annamalai said Baalu had claimed that friends were paying rent for his stay in Chennai — which he termed defamatory.
“I stay in Chennai only because of my responsibility as BJP State President. I have no business or house in Chennai. I moved from my hometown for party work. Funds given by friends for party activities and how the party spent them will also be clarified through the defamation case,” he said.
Parallel Case Against RS Bharathi
Annamalai also noted that a separate defamation case he filed against DMK Organising Secretary RS Bharathi had been adjourned to another date due to Bharathi’s absence.
When asked about the next hearing date, he indicated that Bharathi’s case was expected to come up in March.
“Will Teach DMK a Lesson”
Expressing confidence in the outcome, Annamalai said the litigation would serve a larger political purpose.
“Through this case, we will definitely teach the DMK a lesson. When ordinary citizens speak up for their rights, this incident stands as proof that we can argue our own cases. No matter how big a person is, an ordinary citizen can challenge allegations if he has confidence in what he has said,” he stated.
He said he generally does not file defamation suits but chose to pursue this matter since Baalu had initiated legal action first.
“Our single goal is to defeat the DMK. There must be no distraction from that path. I have full faith in the judiciary. Justice will prevail,” he added.
Annamalai further said that the forthcoming defamation proceedings would provide an opportunity to place all financial details in the public domain, reiterating that he viewed the legal battle as part of a broader commitment to “honest politics.”
அவதூறு வழக்கு தொடுக்குறேன் என்று சொல்லி ஒரு கேள்விக்கும் பதில் தெரியாமல் அவதூறு வழக்கு வாங்கிய ஒரே ஆள் TR பாலு மட்டும் தான் – குறுக்கு விசாரணை செய்த பிறகு சைதை நீதிமன்றத்திற்கு வெளியே பத்திரிகையாளர்களை சந்தித்த தலைவர் @annamalai_k. pic.twitter.com/hwPhqH2qSa
— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) February 16, 2026
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