Supreme Court Stays Ban on TVK MLA in Tamil Nadu Floor Test

Supreme Court Slams Madras High Court Over TVK MLA Voting Ban

The Supreme Court strongly criticised the Madras High Court while granting relief to TVK MLA R. Srinivasa Sethupathi, who recently won the Tirupattur Assembly seat by a margin of just one vote. The apex court stayed the High Court’s order that had prevented the MLA from participating in the Assembly floor test.

The controversy began after DMK leader K.R. Periyakaruppan challenged the election result by filing a petition in the Madras High Court. Acting on the plea, the High Court restrained Srinivasa Sethupathi from taking part in the trust vote proceedings until further orders.

Challenging this decision, the TVK MLA approached the Supreme Court through a special leave petition. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi requested an urgent hearing before the apex court, and the matter was taken up by a bench led by the Chief Justice.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the High Court’s approach. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and Vijay Bishnoi described the order as highly inappropriate and questioned the legal basis on which the writ petition was entertained in an election-related matter.

The bench also stayed further proceedings before the Madras High Court in connection with the case. The judges questioned senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the DMK leader, asking how the High Court could continue hearing the matter as a writ petition when election disputes are generally handled through election petitions under specific legal procedures.

The Supreme Court’s interim order now allows Srinivasa Sethupathi to participate in Assembly proceedings, bringing major relief to the TVK legislator. The case has attracted significant political attention in Tamil Nadu, especially because the election result was decided by a single vote margin.