P.Baladhandapani, v. The State Election
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 11.09.2018
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE V.BHARATHIDASAN W.P. No. 22834 of 2018 P.Baladhandapani ... Petitioner Vs
1. The State Election Commissioner, Cooperative Election, Kamadhenu Super Market Building No.273, Scheme Road, Subburaya Nagar, Teynampet, Anna Salai, Chennai-18
2. The District Election Officer/ Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Dharapuram Circle, Dharapuram, Tiruppur District.
3. The Election Officer, K.1107 Somarapatti Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society at Pethappampatti, Udumalpet, Tiruppur District.
... Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st respondent to entertain the petitioner's objection dated 27.08.2018 and conduct proper enquiry for cancelling the election and order for reelection for the K.1107 Somarapatti Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society, at Pethappampatti, Udumalpet, Tiruppur District. For Petitioner : Mr. C. Prakasam For Respondents : Mr.M.S. Palaniswamy, Standing Counsel for R1 Mr. L.P. Shanmugasundaram, Special Government Pleader for R-2 and R-3
O R D E R
This Writ Petition has been filed seeking for a direction directing the 1st respondent to entertain the petitioner's objection dated 27.08.2018.
2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the election to the 3rd respondent society was scheduled to be held earlier on 30.04.2018, in which the petitioner along with other candidates have filed their nomination and after scrutiny, 36 nominations were found valid including that of the petitioner and 6 nominations were rejected. Thereafter, the election was cancelled and a fresh election was notified and scheduled to be held on 01.09.2018. For which, the petitioner along with other 39 candidates have filed their nominations. But, without passing any order, the 3rd respondent has rejected 29 nominations including that of the petitioner. In such circumstances, the petitioner has sent a representation to the 1st respondent to cancel the election and to conduct fresh election on 27.08.2018. Since the above representation was not considered by the 1st respondent, the present Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner.
3. Mr.L.P.Shanmugasundaram, learned counsel appearing for the respondents 2 and 3 submitted that already the election to the Board of Directors was already over on 28.08.2018, in which the candidates declared elected. Subsequent to that, the election to the office-bearers was conducted and the officebearers also have taken charge. In the circumstances, the petitioner's grievance cannot be considered.
4. According to the petitioner, their nominations have been rejected by the 3rd respondent on 27.08.2018. In the said circumstances, he has sent a representation on 27.08.2018, which was also received by the 3rd respondent. Since the petitioner has submitted the representation before the 1st respondent even before the declaration of election, no order has been passed in the petitioner's representation.
5. I have heard the rival submissions made by Mr.C.Prakasam, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr.M.S.Palaniswamy, learned standing counsel for the 1st respondent and Mr.L.P.Shanmugasundaram, learned Special Government Pleader for respondents 2 and 3 and perused the records carefully.
6. On perusal of the records, it is seen that the petitioner has already submitted a representation before the 1st respondent on 28.08.2018 even before the declaration of election and now
the complaint is pending with the 1st respondent. In the said circumstances, as per the order dated 31.08.2018 passed by this Court in the Writ Petition in W.P.No.11145 of 2018 etc. batch (M.Sadhasivam Vs. State of Tamil Nadu and others), since the complaint has been filed before declaration of election, the complaint is now pending before the 1st respondent. Therefore, the 1st respondent is directed to consider the petitioner's representation and pass suitable orders on merits and in accordance with law after giving opportunity to the petitioner and other interested persons within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, the present Writ Petition stands disposed of. No costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS II) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar rpp To
1. The State Election Commissioner, Cooperative Election, Kamadhenu Super Market Building No.273, Scheme Road, Subburaya Nagar, Teynampet, Anna Salai, Chennai-18
2. The District Election Officer/ Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Dharapuram Circle, Dharapuram, Tiruppur District.
3. The Election Officer, K.1107 Somarapatti Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society at Pethappampatti, Udumalpet, Tiruppur District.
+1cc to Mr.C.Prakasam, Advocate Sr.63385 +1cc to Mr.L.P.Shanmugasundaram, Advocate Sr.63065 W.P. 22834 of 2018 mp[co] srg 23/10/2018