P.Sundera Vadivel Vs The Chief Electoral Officer — Election Law | Madras HC (2026)

P.Sundera Vadivel Vs The Chief Electoral Officer — Election Law | Madras HC (2026)

WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21.04.2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI,

CHIEF JUSTICE

AND

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN

WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

WP No.16169 of 2026

P.Sundera Vadivel No.C6, Customs Excise, Ezhilagam, 75, Church Road, Perungudi, Chennai -600 096

: Petitioner

versus

1.The Chief Electoral Officer,

Tamil Nadu, Election Commission of India, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.

3.The Chairman,

Central Board of Direct Taxes, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi.

4.The Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Income Tax Department Aayakar Kaaryaalay, 121, M G Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034

5.The Director, Enforcement Directorate Pravartan Bhawan, Dr. APJ Abdul Ralam Road,

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WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

New Delhi - 110011

6.The Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai

7.The Home Secretary State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

8.The Director General of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

9.The District Election Officer/District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu

10.Mr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder, Zoho Corporation Corporate Headquarters (Zoho) Estancia IT Park, Plot No. 140 & 151, GST Road, Vallancherry Village, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu 603202.

11.Ananthan Ayyasamy, Candidate, Vasudevanallur (SC) Assembly Constituency, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu : Respondents

Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the 1^st respondent to initiate a comprehensive, independent and time-bound enquiry into diversion and utilisation of corporate funds in connection with electoral activities based upon the representation dated 17.04.2026, in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by initiation of appropriate proceedings, including disqualification, in the event of any violation of statutory provisions,and direct the 1^st respondent to file a status report before this Court within a stipulated time.

WP No.16169 of 2026

P.Sundera Vadivel No.C6, Customs Excise, Ezhilagam, 75, Church Road, Perungudi, Chennai -600 096

: Petitioner

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WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

versus

1.The Chief Electoral Officer,

Tamil Nadu, Election Commission of India, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.

3.The Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

4.The Home Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

5.The Director General of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai

Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to conduct a detailed inquiry into the distribution of cheque like campaign materials amounting to inducement of voters across the State of Tamil Nadu and to take appropriate action in accordance with law.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Abdul Mubeen, for Ms.Ananya Sivanandaraaj For Respondents : Mr.Niranjan Rajagopalan, for respondents 1, 2 and 9

Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan, Additional Solicitor General, assisted by Mr.A.P.Srinivas, for respondents 3 and 4

Ms.E.Ranganayaki, Additional Government Pleader, for respondents 6 and 7 in WP No.16169/26 and respondents 3 and 4 in WP No.16173/26

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WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

COMMON ORDER

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

These petitions, styled as ‘public interest litigations’, filed invoking Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seek a direction to the respondents to enquire into the diversion and utilisation of corporate funds in electoral activities and for an inquiry into the distribution of cheque-like campaign materials, with a view to influence the voters.

These petitions have been filed without raising any valid grounds or placing materials to substantiate the allegations, based on which they have been filed. In the absence of any valid materials, we are not inclined to entertain the petitions. Accordingly, the petitions are dismissed. There will be no order as to costs. Consequently, WMP Nos.17398 and 17400 of 2026 are closed.

(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 21.04.2026

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

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WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

To

1.The Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, Election Commission of India, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2.The Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.

3.The Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi.

4.The Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Income Tax Department Aayakar Kaaryaalay, 121, M G Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 034

5.The Director, Enforcement Directorate Pravartan Bhawan, Dr. APJ Abdul Ralam Road, New Delhi - 110011

6.The Chief Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St.George, Chennai

7.The Home Secretary State of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

8.The Director General of Police, State of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

9.The District Election Officer/District Collector, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu

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WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND

G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.

(tar)

WP Nos.16169 and 16173 of 2026

21.04.2026

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