P.PUGALENTHI Vs. ELECTION OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mr.P.Pugalenthi, petitioner / President of a political party viz., 'Thamizhdesa Makkal Katchi' and an Advocate, has proposed to organize a public meeting at Ariyalur District on 14.04.2019, Tamil New Year Day, to propagate Tamil Language and Tamil Culture. He made a representation on 07.03.2019 to the Inspector of Police, Ariyalur Police Station, Ariyalur District, the 3rd respondent.

(2.) Inspector of Police, Ariyalur Police Station, Ariyalur District, the 3rd respondent, returned the petitioner's representation on 19.03.2019, informing that the petitioner should approach the Election Officer and Revenue Divisional Officer, Ariyalur District, Ariyalur, 1st respondent. Again he made a representation to 1st respondent for holding a public meeting between 5.00PM and 10.00PM on 14.04.2019 near Perarignar Anna Statue, Ariyalur. Said petition has been rejected by the impugned order dated 10.04.2019. Being aggrieved, petitioner has filed the instant writ petition for a certiorarified mandamus, to call for the records in the order bearing No.Na.Ka.A.3/600/2019 dated 10.04.2019 passed by the respondent no.1 and to quash the same, and consequently to direct the respondents to permit him to hold a public meeting between 5 PM and 10 PM on 14 April 2019 near Perarignar Anna Statue, Ariyalur.

(3.) On the above averments, Mr.V.Radhakrishnan, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the two reasons assigned are usual reasons. He further submitted that 1st respondent should be an Astrologer to predict as to what the petitioner and his party would address in the public meeting on 14.04.2019, scheduled to propagate Tamil Language and Culture. According to him, such a meeting is intended only to distribute books to the children.