V.M.ARUMUGAM Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) V.M.Arumugam/party-in-person, claiming himself to be an independent candidate, has filed nomination papers to contest in Sriperumbudur constituency on 26.03.2019. Petitioner/Party-in-Person has contended that the Returning Officer of the above constituency, received his nomination papers, but rejected thereafter, on the ground that out of 10 names of proposers, the last one was having some small error.

(2.) According to the petitioner, he is a Malaikkuravan Scheduled Tribe community and in order to discourage SC/ST candidates, to contest in the election, his nomination was rejected, which is in violation of the provisions of the Representation of People's Act, 1951 and Articles 14, 17, 21 of the Constitution of India. In this regard, though he sent a complaint, dated 27.03.2019, to the respondents, through E-mail, there is no action from the respondents.

(3.) On the above averments, Petitioner/Party-in-Person has sought for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the Returning Officer, No.6 Sriperumbudur Parliamentary Constituency, Office of the District Collector, Kanchipuram, Kanchipram District, 4th respondent herein, to accept his election nomination form pertaining to No.5, Sriperumbudur (General) Parliamentary constituency in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu and permit him to contest in the above said election to be held on 18.4.2019.