Overview
- The Madras High Court, which closed the AIADMK case Friday, accepted the Election Commission’s update that flying squads found no materials, an FIR was filed, and the probe is ongoing.
- The dismissed plea alleged AIADMK candidate R. Manohar’s workers handed voters Rs 10,000 tokens with QR codes and serial numbers that promised payment if he won, redeemable after the election.
- A separate writ by advocate A.P. Suryaprakasam alleges DMK candidates distributed Rs 8,000 coupons to voters and seeks seizures and arrests by the Election Commission and state officials.
- The petitioners frame the distributions as bribery under Section 123(1) of the Representation of People Act and violations of the Model Code of Conduct, which governs campaign behavior.
- With campaigning allowed until April 21 and voting on April 23 in Tamil Nadu, the ECI’s use of flying squads, FIRs, and Returning Officer reports signals rapid pre-poll enforcement under court scrutiny.