Chennai, Sept 22:
The Madras High Court has permitted voter P Vimaladevi to withdraw her petition challenging the election of DMK MLA GV Markandayan from Vilathikulam after observing that the statutory 45-day period for filing an election petition had expired.
Vimaladevi had sought to declare Markandayan’s election invalid, alleging that he had concealed details of several immovable properties owned by him and his wife, M Rebecca Anita. She claimed the alleged suppression amounted to an electoral offence and said she had submitted representations to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Governor.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan observed that the petition was not maintainable as the 45-day deadline had expired. The Bench warned that a heavy fine could be imposed, following which the petitioner sought permission to withdraw the case and pursue it as an election petition. The court allowed the withdrawal.