DMK MP TR Baalu has withdrawn the ₹100 crore defamation suit he had filed against We The Leaders founder and former BJP leader K. Annamalai over allegations made in the latter’s “DMK Files” series, which accused several DMK leaders of amassing disproportionate wealth, as reported in Tamil ABP Live.
The civil suit had been pending before the Saidapet Court in Chennai since 2023. Baalu had sought ₹100 crore in damages, alleging that Annamalai’s statements had tarnished his reputation by making false and defamatory allegations against him and his family.
According to reports, both parties held discussions outside the court and decided to resolve the matter amicably, following which Baalu withdrew the petition.
#JustNow || அண்ணாமலைக்கு எதிரான வழக்கை வாபஸ் பெற்றார் டி.ஆர்.பாலு#Annamalai | #TRBaalu | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/kNdN39zVWp
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Background Of The Case
In 2023, while serving as the Tamil Nadu BJP president, Annamalai released a dossier titled “DMK Files”, alleging that several senior DMK leaders and their families had amassed enormous wealth through corruption and misuse of office.
As part of those allegations, Annamalai claimed that TR Baalu owned 21 companies and that he and his family had accumulated assets worth more than ₹10,000 crore. He further alleged that several of Baalu’s companies were linked to various irregularities.
Denying the allegations, Baalu approached the Chennai Saidapet Court seeking ₹100 crore in compensation, contending that the accusations were false and had damaged his public image and reputation.
Annamalai Personally Cross-Examined Baalu
A notable development during the proceedings came when Annamalai personally cross-examined T.R. Baalu during the trial.
Initially, Baalu’s counsel cross-examined Annamalai. Subsequently, during the hearing held on 17 February, Annamalai himself questioned the DMK leader.
During the cross-examination, Annamalai referred to an earlier interview allegedly given by former Union Minister and senior DMK leader M.K. Alagiri.
He asked Baalu, “When you were the Union Minister for Shipping in 2014, former Union Minister M.K. Alagiri stated in an interview that you had purchased 10 ships. Do you remember that? He also alleged in that interview that while serving as Union Minister, you misused your authority to purchase 10 fishing vessels for personal gain under the guise of implementing the Sethusamudram Project.”
Responding to the questions, Baalu said, “Neither M.K. Alagiri nor Annamalai knows what the Sethusamudram Project actually is.”
Annamalai immediately followed up by asking whether Baalu had filed a defamation case against Alagiri over those allegations.
In response, Baalu stated, “It is not true that I alone purchased ships. Only two ships were purchased.”
According to reports, Annamalai continued posing a series of questions during the hearing. Baalu then requested that the proceedings be adjourned, stating that he had several responsibilities as a Member of Parliament and sought another date for the continuation of the cross-examination.
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