Madras High Court rules on election petitions in Tamil Nadu

The Madras High Court has dismissed an election petition challenging the victory of Tharahai Cuthbert, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Colachel constituency in Tamil Nadu. The petition, filed by SM Anthony Muthu of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, sought a manual count of VVPAT slips. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy ruled that a candidate's belief that their public service should have resulted in more votes is insufficient grounds to contest the election results.

In a separate matter, the Madras High Court has adjourned hearings regarding three election petitions challenging the election of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay from the Perambur constituency. The court has rescheduled these hearings to August 25 following requests from counsel to file applications seeking the rejection of the petitions. Additionally, a petition filed by a defeated DMK candidate challenging Vijay's election from the Tiruchirappalli (East) constituency has also been adjourned until August 25.