In a significant setback to S Ramadoss, the Madras High Court has refused to vacate the interim stay on civil court proceedings in the ongoing dispute within the Pattali Makkal Katchi.
The development comes as a blow to Ramadoss’ attempt to assert control over the party from his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, ahead of the Assembly elections.
The High Court further directed that all pending matters in the civil suit be heard only after May 10, once the election process is completed, effectively delaying any legal resolution until after polling.
The case originates from a civil suit filed by Ramadoss seeking an injunction to restrain Anbumani from using the PMK’s name, symbol, and flag. In response, Anbumani moved an application seeking rejection of the suit. Meanwhile, party general secretary Vadivel Ravanan, aligned with Anbumani, filed a plea to be impleaded in the case.
As no orders were passed on his impleading petition, Ravanan approached the High Court, which subsequently granted an interim stay on the civil court proceedings.
Later, Ramadoss sought to vacate the stay. During the hearing before Justice T.V. Thamilselvi, counsel for Anbumani argued that the courts should avoid intervening since the electoral process had already commenced.
The bench questioned how the civil court could proceed with the matter after the announcement of the election schedule. While Ramadoss’ counsel maintained that the issue was an internal party dispute unrelated to elections, the court disagreed.
Observing that any order in the case could have a direct impact on the ongoing electoral process, the High Court declined to lift the interim stay.
In addition, it ordered that all pending interlocutory applications remain stayed and directed the civil court to take up the matter only after the elections conclude, posting it for hearing after May 10.
The ruling has significant political implications, as it freezes legal proceedings in the high-stakes leadership tussle within the PMK during a crucial election period.