The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the election of DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran from the Chennai Central constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, finding no ground to interfere with the Madras High Court’s earlier decision.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi upheld a March 2025 judgment of the Madras High Court, which had rejected the election petition filed against Maran.
The High Court had held that the petitioner failed to disclose material facts necessary to establish a case of corrupt practice. It observed that the allegations were based on assumptions regarding election expenditure purportedly attributable to Maran, without supporting material, and rested on “mere presumptions.” On that basis, the High Court concluded that no prima facie cause of action was made out.
Concurring with this assessment, the Supreme Court said it found no reason to interfere with the High Court’s verdict. The bench also noted that the Election Commission of India had not found any discrepancy in Maran’s election expenditure accounts.
With this, the apex court brought the challenge to Maran’s election to a close, affirming the validity of his victory from the Chennai Central constituency.
