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K.Raveendran, v. The Chief Election Commissioner

Madras HC17 Apr 2026WP/15301/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Madras High Court, WP No.15301 of 2026, 17.04.2026, CJ Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari & G. Arul Murugan. Mandamus under Article 226 re alleged distribution of cash tokens with QR codes to voters in Harbour Assembly Constituency (Chennai); petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2026; complaints of 14.02.2026 and 15.04.2026; flying squad inspections found no irregularities/no material evidence; FIR Cr.No.82/2026 under investigation; counsel's submission that scanned QR code displayed a political party's 'Two Leaves' symbol; respondents: Chief Election Commissioner (ECI), Chief Electoral Officer Tamil Nadu, Returning Officer Harbour Constituency; petition closed with no further orders, no costs.

What did the court decide?

None; the petition stands closed with no further orders and no order as to costs. ¶35

K.Raveendran, Vs The Chief Election Commissioner — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

None; the petition stands closed with no further orders and no order as to costs.

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Issue for consideration

Whether respondents 1 to 3 should be directed (by writ of mandamus) to consider the petitioner's representation dated 15.04.2026, initiate appropriate investigation and seize the tokens with a QR code carrying a unique serial number.

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Court's answer

In view of the Election Commission's account (both complaints investigated by flying squads, FIR Cr.No.82/2026 lodged and under further investigation) and its counsel's assurance that further action in accordance with law shall be taken, the Court held that no further orders were necessary and closed the petition.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

WP No.15301 of 2026, High Court of Judicature at Madras, decided 17.04.2026; bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari (who made the Order) and Justice G. Arul Murugan. Petitioner K. Raveendran, represented by Senior Counsel N.A. Nissar Ahmed with S. Shyam Kumar, sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India directing the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI), the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu and the Returning Officer, Harbour Constituency (respondents, represented by Standing Counsel Niranjan Rajagopalan) to consider his representation dated 15.04.2026, initiate investigation and seize cash tokens bearing QR codes allegedly distributed to voters holding valid family cards in Harbour Assembly Constituency; his counsel submitted that scanning a token displayed a political party's symbol. The ECI stated that flying squads responded to complaints of 14.02.2026 and 15.04.2026 (Press Vetri, Pidari Koil Street, Chennai 600 001) and found no irregularities and no material evidence; nevertheless FIR Cr.No.82/2026 was lodged and the matter is under further investigation, and the respondents' counsel assured further action in accordance with law. Holding (ratio): in view of those statements, no further orders were necessary. Outcome: petition stands closed (disposed); no order as to costs. No precedent was cited.

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 17.04.2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,

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CHIEF JUSTICE

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AND

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THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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K.Raveendran, Advocate, No.147/9, Golden Jubilee Flats, Padikuppam Road, Anna Nagar West, Chennai 600 040

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Petitioner

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The Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110 001.

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2.Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 600 009.

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3.The Returning Officer, Harbour Constituency, Additional Director of Medical & Rural Health Services (Admin), Bharathi Government Women Arts College, No.1, Prakasam Salai,Chennai 600 108. Also at No.18, Harbour Assembly Constituency. No.60, VOC Salai, Elephant Gate, Chennai-600079. Respondents

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Page 1 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 15.04.2026 and initiate appropriate investigation and seize the tokens with a QR code carrying a unique serial number.

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For Petitioner : Mr. N.A.Nissar Ahmed Senior Counsel for Mr. S.Shyam Kumar For Respondents : Mr. Niranjan Rajagopalan Standing Counsel

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ORDER

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(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice)

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The present writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider the petitioner’s representation dated 15.04.2026 and initiate appropriate investigation and seize the tokens with QR code carrying a unique serial number.

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Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the agents and workers of a particular political party are distributing cash tokens to voters holding valid family card in the Harbour Constituency area and once the QR Code is scanned, it shows the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, which belongs to a political party. Learned Senior Counsel Page 2 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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further submits that such practice would impinge fair election process and therefore, the petitioner has sent a representation to the respondents to take appropriate action; however, the same has not been acted upon.

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On the other hand, learned Standing Counsel for the Election Commission of India, on instructions, submitted that on receipt of a complaint on 14.02.2026, regarding distribution of tokens bearing QR codes, three flying squad teams were sent; who inspected the site and found no irregularities. A complaint was received again on 15.04.2026, approximately at 13.20 hours, complaining that tokens were distributed at Press Vetri, New No.70, Old No.125, Pidari Koil Street, Second Floor, Bishop Cowrie School backside, Chennai 600 001. Immediately on receipt of the said complaint, two flying squads were mobilized and dispatched to the location. The teams reached the spot and commenced inquiry without delay and found no material evidence.

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In spite of the aforesaid exercise, the respondents have lodged a first information report vide Cr.No.82/2026 and the matter is currently under further investigation, as per procedure.

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Page 3 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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Learned counsel for the respondents also assures that further

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action in accordance with law shall be taken.

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In view of the aforesaid statement, no further orders are necessary in this petition. The petition stands closed. There will be no order as to costs.

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(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 17.04.2026

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Index : Yes/No Neutral Citation : Yes/No tar

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Page 4 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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The Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110 001.

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2.The Chief Electoral Officer, Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai 600 009.

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3.The Returning Officer, Harbour Constituency, Additional Director of Medical & Rural Health Services (Admin), Bharathi Government Women Arts College, No.1, Prakasam Salai, Chennai 600 108.

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Also at No.18, Harbour Assembly Constituency. No.60, VOC Salai, Elephant Gate, Chennai-600079.

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Page 5 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No.15301 of 2026

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THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND

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G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.