The Madras High Court has issued an interim stay on the announcement of by-elections for five vacant Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu—Tiruchirappalli East, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai and Karur.
The vacancies arose after resignations, including Chief Minister Vijay stepping down from the Tiruchirappalli East seat after winning in the Assembly election. AIADMK MLAs Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel, Sathyabama and Isakki Subbiah also resigned, leading to the remaining vacancies.
A petition was filed seeking a restraint on conducting by-elections, arguing that cases challenging the election victories are still pending and that bypolls should not be initiated until those matters are decided.
After hearing the matter, a bench comprising Chief Justice Dharmadhikari and Justice Arulmurgan stayed the by-election process and specifically barred any announcement of bypolls for the five constituencies.
The court also directed the Union government, Chief Minister Vijay and the Assembly Secretary to file their responses in the case.
