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Madras High CourtWP/14629/2026disposed of with direction

R.Saravanan v. The Chief Electoral Officer

2026-04-10Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 10.04.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI and W.M.P. No.15866 of 2026 R. Saravanan ..Petitioner Vs

1. The Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, Public (Elections) Dept., Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The District Election Officer / Commissioner Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, EVR Salai, Chennai - 600 003.

3. The Electoral Officer / Returning Officer, Anna Nagar State Assembly Constitution, No.21, Anna Nagar State Assembly Constitution office, Chennai.

4. The Inspector of Police, G3, Kilpauk Police Station, 1/6

5. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for the issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling the records pertaining to the 3rd respondent bghJj;nju;jy; vz; : E1/002-209/2026 dated 08.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal and directing the 3rd respondent to grant permission to hold Hall Meeting on 12.04.2026 or any other date within 19.04.2026 at Working People's Trade Union Hall (WPTUC), Dr. Vasudevan Salai, Kilpauk, For Petitioner : Mr.K.U. Sale Murugan For Respondents : Mr.Niranjan Rajagopal for M/s.G.R. Associates for R1 - R3 Mr.V. Meghanathan Govt. Advocate (Crl. Side) for R4 and R5

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed to call for the records pertaining to the 3rd respondent bghJj;nju;jy; vz; :E1/002-209/2026 dated 08.04.2026 and quash the same as illegal and directing the 3rd respondent to grant permission to hold Hall Meeting on 12.04.2026 or any other date within 19.04.2026 at Working People's 2/6

Trade Union Hall (WPTUC), Dr. Vasudevan Salai, Kilpauk, Chennai - 10.

2. It is stated that the petitioner is the Conference Coordinator of the Peoples' Democratic Youth Association and involved in promotional activities for over three decades. It is proposed to conduct a hall meeting on 12.04.2026 at WPTUC Hall, Kilapuak, Chennai to discuss electoral reforms including proportional representation and democratic accountability. Pursuant to an announcement of elections, the petitioner submitted an online application through the Suvidha Portal as well as he sought permission before the authorities concerned to conduct the aforesaid meeting. It is the case of the petitioner that the 3rd respondent has rejected the said application, vide order dated 08.04.2026, which is impugned herein. Challenging the said order dated 08.04.2026, this writ petition has been filed.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that it would suffice if a direction is issued by this Court to the respondents to grant permission by imposing necessary conditions.

4. Learned counsel for respondents 1 to 3 submitted that this Court may permit the petitioner to submit a fresh application, which would be considered and appropriate orders passed within the time frame stipulated by this Court.

5. Considering the stand taken by the learned counsel for the parties and further grant of permission would in no way cause any prejudice to the respondents by imposing necessary conditions, this Court is inclined to direct 3/6

the petitioner to submit a fresh application to the 2nd respondent forthwith and the 2nd respondent is directed to consider the said application and pass orders in accordance with law latest by 10.30 a.m. on 11.04.2026.

6. With the aforesaid observation this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 10.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking Order / Non-speaking order vsi2 N ote :

Issue order copy on 10.04.2026 4/6

To

1. The Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, Public (Elections) Dept., Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The District Election Officer / Commissioner Chennai Corporation, Ripon Building, EVR Salai, Chennai - 600 003.

3. The Electoral Officer / Returning Officer, Anna Nagar State Assembly Constitution, No.21, Anna Nagar State Assembly Constitution office, Chennai.

4. The Inspector of Police, G3, Kilpauk Police Station,

5. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Vepery, Chennai - 600 007.

5/6

M. DHANDAPANI, J.

vsi2 and W.M.P. No.15866 of 2026 10.04.2026 6/6