SC not to interfere in Madras HC order on municipal corp elections

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today refused to interfere with Madras High Court interim order directing that the counting of votes in Chennai municipal election shall start on October 20 along with repolling in 27 out of 155 wards.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justices C K Thakker and R V Raveendran, however, directed that the counting of votes shall start at 1400 hrs instead of 0800 hrs on October 20.

The court refused to grant any other relief to the petitioner namely, opposition parties in Tamil Nadu including AIADMK, who have alleged that there was massive bungling and large scale booth capturing by the workers of ruling DMK party with active support and connivance of the local administration including police. They also asserted that no election took place on October 13, the day of polling.

The apex court also directed senior council Mukul Rohatagi, appearing for the petitioner to go and make submission before the High Court where, the writ petitions are already pending.

UNI AKS/SC AKJ AT DB1305