New Delhi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the election of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran from the Chennai Central constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi rejected the petition filed by ML Ravi, who had approached the apex court against the Madras High Court’s order dismissing his election petition.
The petitioner alleged that Maran had indulged in corrupt electoral practices by publishing newspaper advertisements and distributing pamphlets during the 48-hour “silent period” prior to polling, in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
It was contended that the High Court committed a patent error in striking off the triable issue of corrupt practice on the ground of deficient pleadings, and that advertisements during the silent period constituted a triable issue warranting a full trial.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked the petitioner’s counsel about the number of votes secured by the petitioner in the election.
On being informed that the petitioner had secured only 696 votes, the Chief Justice observed that the petitioner should focus on working for the next election by engaging with voters, campaigning in advance, and clearly communicating ideas and plans.
When the counsel reiterated that publication of front-page newspaper advertisements on the polling day amounted to a corrupt practice, the Chief Justice remarked that such acts could have been done by party workers.
In a lighter vein, the Court suggested that the petitioner could attempt more forceful campaigning and outreach in future elections, noting that voters respond to his vision and messaging positively.
The Bench held that it found no ground to interfere with the High Court’s judgment.
The High Court had concluded that the newspaper advertisements relied upon were published by the DMK as a political party and not by Maran personally, and that none of the advertisements referred to him by name.
Relying on Election Commission guidelines, the High Court had further held that publication of political advertisements by a party, if pre-certified, was not per se prohibited and could not automatically be attributed to the candidate.
With regard to allegations relating to stickers, booth agent expenses and rallies, the High Court had found that the petitioner made only assumptions and approximations without pleading material facts to establish that such expenditure was incurred by or attributable to Maran.
The Court also noted that Maran’s election expenditure accounts had been submitted to and accepted by the Election Commission, which had not flagged any discrepancies.
SC dismisses plea challenging election of DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran
