Aadhav Arjuna sends legal notice to Stalin over John Britto 'drug' allegations

Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna has issued a legal notice to DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin, demanding an unconditional apology and Rs 1 crore in damages over a social media post linking a drug smuggling accused named John Britto to Arjuna’s family.

The notice accused Stalin of spreading “false and defamatory” information by claiming that the John Britto named in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) drug case is Arjuna’s relative. The minister has firmly denied any connection, stating that the accused is not related to him or his family. Failure to comply with the notice within the stipulated time could lead to both criminal and civil proceedings against Stalin, said the legal notice.

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"The individual mentioned in the ED case is not Arjuna’s relative. Stalin’s statement is false, malicious, and intended to defame him," it said, demanding a public apology and ₹1 crore in compensation. It warned of legal action under criminal and civil laws if the notice is ignored.

The ED drug case

The controversy stems from a major ED investigation into an alleged Rs 258-crore international narcotics smuggling network operating between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. According to ED officials, John Britto (also referred to as Irudayaraj John Britto, around 40 years old, from Kodungaiyur, Chennai) was identified as the alleged mastermind.

He reportedly recruited fishermen and boat owners to transport drugs through Indian waters, handing them over to Sri Lankan contacts in the open sea to evade surveillance.

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The probe was based on complaints from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Customs Act, later escalating to money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Several associates were arrested, and raids were conducted in multiple locations in Tamil Nadu in May 2026.

TVK link allegations

Opposition parties, particularly DMK and AIADMK, seized on the case to allege connections to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders.

The Opposition claimed that the accused John Britto is the brother of Leema Rose Martin, an AIADMK MLA and mother-in-law of Arjuna. Leema Roses' daughter Daisy is married to Aadhav Arjuna.

Social media posts by DMK’s IT wing and YouTuber Maridhas amplified these claims, suggesting the accused was Arjuna’s relative. Maridhas was later arrested on allegations of derogatory remarks, further intensifying the political storm.

However, clarifications emerged with Philip John Britto, Leema Rose’s brother, who filed a police complaint denying any link and stating he is a different individual. The ED also reportedly clarified that the accused in the drug case is not a relative of Arjuna or Leema Rose.

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Arjuna and TVK supporters described the narrative as “fake” and politically motivated to tarnish the new government’s image.