The Madras High Court ordered the issuance of fresh notices to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay in connection with an election petition challenging his
victory from the Perambur Assembly constituency.
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan directed that fresh notices be served on Vijay, the Election Commission of India and the Returning Officer of the Perambur constituency after it was brought to the court’s attention that earlier notices had not been successfully served on some of the respondents.
The matter came up during the hearing of a petition filed by DMK leader R.D. Shekar, who contested against Vijay in the Assembly election and lost by a margin of 53,715 votes.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Richardson Wilson informed the court that notices had not been served on the Chief Minister and the Returning Officer, prompting the court to order fresh issuance of notices. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter by two weeks.
In his petition, Shekar has sought to have Vijay’s election declared null and void. The challenge is based on allegations including suppression of material facts and discrepancies in affidavits submitted during the election process. The court has not expressed any view on the merits of the allegations, which will be examined during the course of the proceedings.
