Subramoniarajan R v. The Secretary

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.06.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P.(MD)Nos.12713 and 12926 to 12929 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.9577, 9673, 9676, 9684, 9687, 9689, 9706 of 2026 W.P.(MD)No.12713 of 2026:

R.Subramoniarajan ... Petitioner 2.P.Reginald India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st Respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 13.04.2026 for the purpose to include the eligible advocates who were removed wantonly by the 2nd respondent in the voters list of The Boothapandy Bar Association, Kanyakumari District for the forthcoming election for the year 2026-2027 furthermore to conduct the election as per the proceedings of the 1st respondent in R.O.C.No.285 of 2021 dated 13.02.2021. : Mr.L.George Paul Anto 1/8

W.P.(MD)No.12926 of 2026:

1.S.Ramesh 2.V.Viji 3.D.Ebenezer 4.T.Kithion Christu Raj 5.Y.John Robert Raj 6.B.Manikandan 7.M. Samuvel 8.J.Sekar Sam 9.S.John Berlamen 10.N.Sree Mahesh 11.K.Ayyappan 12.T. Kalaimathi ... Petitioners India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to order the 2nd Respondent to restore the names of the petitioners as the members of Boothapandi Bar Association and thereafter conduct election on the scheduled date of 30.04.2026 or on any other date by considering petitioners representation on various dates.

2/8

W.P.(MD)No.12927 of 2026:

1.K.Kushan Singh 2.R.Jayakumar ... Petitioners India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st and 2nd Respondents to restore the names of the removed members of Boothapandi Bar Association and consequently appoint any Hon'ble Retired Judge as an Advocate Commissioner for the Election and thereafter conduct election on the scheduled date of 30.04.2026 or on any other date by considering petitioners' representation dated 16.04.2026. W.P.(MD)No.12928 of 2026:

Ayyappan ... Petitioner 3/8

India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd Respondent to restore the name of the petitioner as the member of Boothapandi Bar Association and thereafter conduct election on the scheduled date of 30.04.2026 or on any other date by considering petitioners representation dated 13.03.2026.

W.P.(MD)No.12929 of 2026:

T.Sam Collins Ruben ... Petitioner Kanyakumari District 629 852.

3.P.Reginald India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent to 4/8

restore the name of the petitioner as the member of Boothapandi Bar Association and thereafter conduct election on the scheduled date of 30.04.2026 or on any other date by considering petitioner's representation dated 13.04.2026.

COMMON ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) These writ petitions are filed aggrieved by the order of removal of the mass members from the Boothapandi Bar Association, Kanyakumari District on the ground that they have formed other association and to restore their names again as the members of that Association.

2. The learned counsel appearing for Boothapandi Bar Association would submit that they are ready to conduct the election as per the rules, whereas, the learned counsel for the petitioners submits that eligible members have been debarred. They would further submit that among the removed members of Boothapandi Bar Association, 51 members are eligible to cast their votes. Learned counsel for the 2nd 5/8

respondent would submit that some of the removed members are also members of other Bar Associations.

3. We are of the view that election has to be conducted in tune with the directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in S.L.P.No. 1404 of 2025 dated 16.04.2026. Whether the removed members are associated with other association may be easily verified with the Bar Council/1st respondent. Any objection is raised with regard to casting of votes, the same shall be decided by the 1st respondent on "One Bar, One Vote" basis. All the members of the 2nd respondent Association including the removed members are entitled to participate in the election, but their eligibility shall be decided by the 1st respondent. If the members passed the test of "One Bar, One Vote", they are certainly entitled to caste their votes. Such verification should be done by the 1st respondent within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

Thereafter, election shall be conducted giving fair participation of women members of the District Bar Associations as directed by the Apex Court, within a period of one month thereafter. The 1st respondent shall consider their proceedings in R.O.C.No.285 of 2021 dated 13.02.2021 while deciding the objections.

6/8

4. With the above directions, the Writ Petitions are disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed. [N.S.K., J.] & [M.J.R., J.] 05.06.2026 Index :Yes/No : Yes/No bala To 7/8

N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.

AND M.JOTHIRAMAN, J.

bala W.P.(MD)Nos.12713 and 12926 to 12929 of 2026 05.06.2026 8/8