M/S. Pattali Makkal Katchi v. The Election Commission Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and C.M.P.Nos.7720, 7722, 7725 and 7726 of 2026 M/s.Pattali Makkal Katchi A registered and Unrecognized Political Party, Rep. by its Founder and present President Dr.S.Ramadoss, No.63, Nattu Muthu Naickan Street, Vanniyar Teynampet, Chennai Petitioner Vs 1.The Election Commission of India Election Commission, Nirvachan Bhavan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 111.

2.The Chief Electoral Officer, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009 3.The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001 Respondents

PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to call for the impugned records dated 4.12.2023, No.56/73/2023/PPSIII/2943 issued by the first respondent for quashing by issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus or any other writ or order in the nature of certiorarified mandamus and to quash the same as it is invalid from 30.05.2025 as per its impugned order in para 1 and to direct the 1st respondent to "Record" the name of the team of Petitioner's Political Party headed by President Dr.S.Ramadoss and his team of office bearers as per the communication dated 17.12.2025 immediately for facing the 2026 General assembly elections in the State of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with the symbol of "Mango".

For Petitioner:

Mr.K.Arul For Respondents:

Mr.Niranjan Rajagopalan for respondent Nos.1 and 2

ORDER

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

2. Following is the relief sought in the writ petition: "Hence, the petitioner prays before this Hon'ble Court to call

for the impugned records dated:04-12-2023, No.56/73/2023/PPS-IlI/2943 issued by the 1st respondent for quashing by issuance of a "Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus" or any other writ or order in the nature of Certiorarified Mandamus and to quash the same as it is invalid from 30-05-2-25 as per its impugned order in para 1 and to direct the 1st respondent to "Record" the name of the team of Petitioner's Political Party headed by President Dr.S.Ramadoss and his team of office bearers as per the communication dated 17.12.2025 immediately for facing the 2026 General assembly elections in the State of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with the symbol of "Mango" and thus render justice."

3. The relief which the petitioner seeks in this writ petition is essentially in the nature of prayer seeking adjudication of internal disputes in the party in the matter of election of office bearers.

4. As a matter of fact, the petitioner has already filed a civil suit, being O.S.No.664 of 2026, before the City Civil Court, Chennai, wherein the following reliefs are sought:

"A. It is Most respectfully Prayed before this Hon'ble Court to pass a judgement and decree in favour of the plaintiff by declaring that Dr.S.Ramadoss as the president with his team of office bearers of the Plaintiffs party M/s.Pattali Makkal Katchi with effect from 30-05-2025 to till date as

advised by the Election Commission of India on 27-11-2025 appointed by the appropriate political forum amicably. B. It is further prayed to pass a judgement and decree by declaring that the Election commission of India communication dated 04-12-2023 as invalid from 30-05-2025.

C. It is further prayed to pass a judement and decree by declaring that the Election commission of India communication dated 30-07-2025 by allotting the symbol "Mango" is invalid and improper as they were issued without any authority and legality by the 1st defendant. D. It is further prayed to pass a judgement and decree by declaring that the Election commission of India communication dated 09-09-2025 by extending tenure are invalid and improper as they were issued without any authority and powers by the 1st defendant. E. It is further prayed before this Hon'ble court that pass a judgement and decree of permanent injunction restraining the 4th Defendant and his henchman from interfering with the Plaintiff's Party affairs and the position of the President of Dr.S.Ramadass as there is continuous illegal threat and attempt by misusing the name of the Plaintiff's Party and its founder cum President Dr.S.Ramadass.

F. It is further prayed before this Hon'ble court that pass a judgement and decree of permanent injunction restraining

the 4th Defendant from using in the PMK party flag, party name, emblem and symbol "Mango", and G. Also to pass a judgement and decree of permanent injunction restraining the 4th Defendant and his henchman from having any Electoral alliance agreements with any political party in the name of Plaintiff's party for the 2026 assembly elections as it is an act of illegality and misuse of party name without any authority.

H. For the cost of the suit."

5. From the reliefs which have been sought in the civil suit, it is clear that internal disputes amongst the members of the party with regard to election of office bearers is pending consideration in the civil court.

6. Challenge to the communication dated 4.12.2023 of the Election Commission of India is essentially based on the claim that the petitioner herein, Dr.S.Ramadoss, is the duly elected office bearer and not Dr.R.Anbumani. In substance, therefore, what is sought to be raised before this Court is to decide as to whether the petitioner Dr.S.Ramadoss is validly elected President or Dr.R.Anbumani. This dispute cannot be allowed to be entertained in writ petition under

Article 226 of the Constitution of India, as it is purely an internal dispute of a party. The petitioner has already approached the civil court and sought relief declaring himself to be the President of Pattali Makkal Katchi.

7. In view of the above, the writ petition is not maintainable and the same is dismissed. We leave it open for the petitioner to workout his remedy in the pending civil suit.

8. Before parting with the case, we make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. It goes without saying that depending upon the decree that may be passed in the civil suit, the Election Commission of India may be approached. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

(MANINDRA MOHAN SHRIVASTAVA, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J) 20.02.2026 Index :

Yes/No :

Yes/No bbr

To:

1.The Election Commission of India Election Commission, Nirvachan Bhavan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110 111.

2.The Chief Electoral Officer, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009 3.The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001

THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.

bbr 20.02.2026