Madras High Court dismisses writ petition challenging Vilathikulam DMK MLA Markandayan’s victory
The Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the election of DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan due to the expiration of the legal filing period. The petitioner had alleged that the MLA suppressed property details in his election affidavit.
Why it matters
It highlights the strict procedural timelines in Indian election law and the judiciary's refusal to bypass statutory limitations for election challenges.
The Madras High Court on Monday (September 21, 2026) dismissed as withdrawn a writ petition challenging the election of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) G.V. Markandayan from Vilathikulam constituency in Thoothukudi district on the ground that he had allegedly suppressed his property details in the election affidavit.
First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan refused to grant any kind of liberty to the petitioner after observing that the 45-day period within which an election petition could be filed, challenging the victory of the returned candidate, had already expired and hence there was no remedy available under law as on date.
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