T. VELMURUGAN Vs. CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mr. Velmurugan, President of Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, Chennai, has filed the instant writ petition, seeking for a writ of certiorarified mandamus, to quash the order of rejection, in Letter No.3652/Elec-IV/2019-42, dated 29/3/2019, passed by the Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary to Government, Chennai, and consequently, direct the Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary to Government, Chennai, respondent, to issue Star campaigner pass, to the petitioner.

(2.) Petitioner has contended that on 22/3/2019, on his behalf, one Mr.Kamaraj, went to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary to Government, Chennai, to submit an application, seeking permission for Star Campaigner and vehicle pass. After receipt of the application, respondent advised his representative to collect the pass, on 25/3/2019. When the representative went, on 25/3/2019, to collect the Star Campaigner pass, he was not permitted to see the respondent. Reason assigned was that respondent was in an important meeting and permission letter was not issued.

(3.) On 25/3/2019 itself, the petitioner talked to the respondent over phone and sought his appointment to meet him to discuss the abovesaid issue. Appointment was given to the petitioner only on 27/3/2019. On the said date, he submitted the application, seeking permission for Star Campaigner pass to him and 19 of his party leaders. However, on 1/4/2019, petitioner received a letter No.3652/Elec- IV/2019-42, dated 29/3/2019, rejecting the request, for issuance of Star Campaigner Pass, stating that the application of the petitioner was received only on 27/3/2019 and hence rejected. Petitioner has contended that the presence of the representative was duly recorded in CCTV footage. He has also made allegations that under the pressure of ruling party, Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary to Government, Chennai/respondent has rejected the application.