TN Polls | Madras High Court Closes Plea Against DMK Over Alleged Cash Distribution To Influence Voters, Notes ECI Issued Notice To Party

The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan took note of the submissions by the Election Commission of India, informing that FIRs had been registered wherever violations had been observed, and a show cause notice had also been issued to the party. The ECI also informed that necessary action was being taken.

“Today when the matter is taken up, learned counsel appearing for the Election Commission of India submitted that the complaints have been looked into by the Election Commission of India and it is found that there is violation of the provisions contained in Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951. An FIR has been lodged in certain constituencies by the Returning Officer. He would also submit that show cause notice dated 11.4.2026 has also been issued to the political party concerned and action is being taken,” the court said on Tuesday.

The court thus closed the plea filed by R.A.S Senthilvel, an advocate and Deputy Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) State Advocate Wing.

Senthilvel had approached the court seeking direction to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, to seize Rs. 8,000 coupons allegedly being distributed by the DMK party and to destruct the same. Directions were also sought to initiate appropriate penal action against the DMK party functionaries and candidates who were involved in the distribution and circulation of such cash coupons.

He had alleged that DMK was engaged in unfair and illegal electoral practices in several constituencies, especially in Coimbatore South, Bargur (Pelavarthi Village), Palacode, Kumbakonam, and Anna Nagar assembly constituencies by distributing Rs. 8000 cash coupons with the intention of inducing voters and securing their votes in lieu of coupons.

The petitioner argued that, as per the election manifesto, the DMK had promised that it would pay Rs. 8000 to women as part of the “Illatharasi Scheme” to enable them to purchase household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and other domestic equipment. He alleged that the party was, however, distributing coupons in the pretext of the scheme, even before the conclusion of the elections or forming a government.

The petitioner thus argued that the party's actions were in direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the Representation of People Act requiring serious attention of the Election Commission of India.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday (21 April), the Election Commission of India informed the bench that some violations had been noted in certain constituencies and action had been taken, in the form of registration of FIR and issuance of a show cause notice.

Taking note of the submission, the court closed the plea.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr.Naveen Kumar Murthi for Mr.P.P.Purushothaman

Counsel for Respondent: Mr.Niranjan Rajagopalan Standing Counsel, Mr.E.Raj Thilak Addl. Public Prosecutor

Case Title: RAS Senthilvel v. The Chief Election Commissioner and Others

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 179

Case No: W.P.No.15432 of 2026