Judicial Scrutiny Ends as Election Affidavit Challenge Against M.K. Stalin Withdrawn

Legal Challenge to 2026 Election Filing Dropped

The Madras High Court formalised the withdrawal of a writ petition on July 29, 2026, targeting the election disclosure accuracy of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. T. Sivagnanasambandan, the petitioner and a 73-year-old advocate, had originally requested the Court to compel the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate allegations that Stalin concealed his involvement with the DMK Charitable Trust in his 2026 assembly poll affidavit.

Bench Questions Personal Benefit in Trust Assets

The First Division Bench, comprised of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, presided over the hearing. During the proceedings, the judges observed that the former Chief Minister did not appear to hold a personal interest in the assets owned by the trust. Following this assessment, counsel for the petitioner elected to withdraw the litigation. The court granted this request while leaving the door open for the petitioner to seek alternative legal avenues.

Details of the Alleged Non-Disclosure

The controversy stems from the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, where Sivagnanasambandan contested the Kolathur seat against Stalin as a representative of the Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi (DMSK). The core of the advocate's complaint involved:

• A property acquisition by the DMK Charitable Trust valued at ₹2.27 crore in 2019.
• The alleged failure of Stalin to declare his status as a trustee in his mandatory candidate filings.

Despite these claims, the judicial feedback regarding the nature of trust ownership prompted the petitioner to shift strategy, leading to the case being dismissed as withdrawn.

Source: The Hindu — Home