SC Stays Madras HC Proceedings In Petitions Challenging Election Of DMK MP Kanimozhi

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings in the petitions filed in Madras High Court challenging the election of DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi from Thoothukudi lok Sabha constituency in the 2019 general elections.

Kanimozhi's plea in Supreme Court was against the refusal of the Madras High Court to dismiss the election petitions. A bench headed by CJI Bobde stayed the proceedings after hearing Senior Advocate P Wilson for Kanimozhi.

Two election petitions have been filed by a voter and a BJP leader separately challenging her election to the Lok Sabha.

It has been alleged in the petitions before the high court that Kanmozhi failed to mention her husband's Permanent Account Number (PAN) in her election affidavit disclosing family assets.

The DMK leader said her husband was an NRI living in Singapore and he neither possessed a PAN card nor does he pay any income tax in India.

Kanimozhi had defeated her nearest rival Tamilisai Soundararajan (now Governor of Telangana) of BJP.

Another plea challenging the election of Kanimozhi was filed by Soundararajan who withdrew the plea after becoming Governor of Telangana.

A Muthuramalingam, a local BJP leader, has substituted Soundararajan as a party in the High Court.

(With PTI inputs)