Madras HC issues notices in pleas challenging election of MLAs, ministers

Chennai, July 9 (IANS) The Madras High Court has initiated proceedings in a series of election petitions challenging the victories of several MLAs elected in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, issuing notices in some cases while granting time to rectify defects in others.

Justice P.B. Balaji, hearing a batch of five election petitions, directed the respondents to file their replies and posted the matters for further hearing on August 21.

One of the petitions has been filed by Gandhimathinathan, a voter from the Ambasamudram Assembly constituency, seeking to declare the election of the AIADMK candidate, Isakki Subbaiah, void. Although Subbaiah emerged victorious in the election, he has since resigned from his Assembly seat.

The High Court also took up two separate petitions challenging the election of DMK MLA O. Panneerselvam from the Bodinayakanur Assembly constituency. The petitions were filed by constituency voter T. Kannan and Chennai-based voter Milani, questioning the validity of his election.

In another case, BJP candidate K.R.M. Radhakrishnan has challenged the election of senior DMK leader and MLA Anitha R. Radhakrishnan from the Tiruchendur Assembly constituency.

The court is also examining a petition filed by voter Viswanathan challenging the election of Lakshiya Jananayaga Katchi leader Jose Charles Martin, who was elected from the Kamaraj Nagar Assembly constituency in Puducherry.

After hearing the preliminary submissions, Justice Balaji ordered notices to Isakki Subbaiah, O. Panneerselvam, Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and Jose Charles Martin, directing them to submit their responses before the next hearing.

In a separate batch of election disputes, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh dealt with petitions challenging the election of DMK MLA Manoj Pandian from the Alangulam Assembly constituency. The petitions were filed independently by TVK candidate V. Vipin Chakravarthy and voters E. Isakkiraja and R. Padmanaban.

Another election petition before the same judge challenges the election of TVK MLA and Minister Anand from the T. Nagar Assembly constituency. The petition has been filed by Balasubramania Sharma.

During the hearing, Justice Anand Venkatesh granted the petitioners time to rectify defects in their pleadings before the matters could be taken up for detailed consideration. The court adjourned the batch of petitions to July 17 for further proceedings.

The petitions are at a preliminary stage, and the High Court has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations raised.

–IANS

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