HC quashes complaint against Annamalai over his 2023 remarks on Thevar

The Madras High Court has dismissed a complaint filed by a Salem-based activist Piyush Manush against former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, regarding his 2023 remarks on "blood abhishekam". Annamalai made the remark during a press meet, referencing a historical incident involving Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar and former chief minister CN Annadurai.

The complaint alleged that Annamalai attempted to create a divide between communities by referring to this incident. The high court quashed the proceedings and set aside all prior actions against Annamalai, noting that the magistrate had taken cognizance of the complaint without conducting a preliminary inquiry or providing Annamalai with an opportunity to present his defense.

Annamalai's legal team argued that the high court correctly dismissed the complaint, as it did not identify the specific communities involved and that the magistrate had acted appropriately by not granting Annamalai an opportunity to hear the complaint.