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Madras High CourtWP/16169/2026dismissed

P.Sundera Vadivel v. The Chief Electoral Officer,

2026-04-21Honourable The Chief Justice,Honourable Mr.Justice G.Arul Murugan6 pages

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 No.16169 of 2026 P.Sundera Vadivel No.C6, Customs Excise, Ezhilagam, 75, Church Road, Perungudi, Chennai -600 096 Petitioner versus 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 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 1st 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 1st 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

versus 3.The Chief Secretary to Government, 4.The Home Secretary, 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

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.

2. 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 : Yes/No tar

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

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

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

(tar) 21.04.2026