Madras HC Warns CM Vijay and Minister Aadhav Arjuna Over Election Petitions

The Madras High Court warned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday that it would impose an exemplary cost of Rs 50,000 on each of them if they fail to submit their responses to petitions challenging their recent assembly election victories.

The observation was made during proceedings before Justice V Lakshminarayanan, who highlighted the statutory timeframe governing such challenges. "The court is not bothered about the persons involved in the litigation but only wanted to ensure that the election petitions are disposed of within the statutory period of six months," Justice Lakshminarayanan observed.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to August 27 after counsel representing the Chief Minister and the Minister assured the bench that applications seeking the rejection of the plaints would be filed within a day.

The litigation against Vijay involves election petitions moved by DMK candidate R D Shekar along with voters Dinesh and Lakshmi Narasimman, who challenged Vijay's election from the Perambur constituency in the city. Additionally, losing DMK candidate Inigo Irudayaraj filed an election petition challenging Vijay's victory from the Trichy East constituency.

According to the petitioners, during a campaign speech on April 21, Vijay appealed to children to ask their parents and other family members to vote for TVK. The petitioners stated that this violated the election code prohibiting the involvement of minors in election campaigns. They also cited alleged defects in the financial declaration made by Vijay in his election affidavit.

In connected proceedings, DMK candidate Karthik Mohan and voter R Sivaraj filed separate election petitions challenging the victory of Aadhav Arjuna from the Villivakkam assembly constituency.