SC quashes Madras HC order restraining use of Stalin's name in govt scheme

In a ruling that has far-reaching political and legal implications, the Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the Madras High Court's 31 July interim order that had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from using Chief Minister M K Stalin's name and photograph in government welfare scheme advertisements.

- PARMOD KUMAR

The court also imposed a cost of Rs 10 lakh on AIADMK Member of Parliament C V Shanmugam, who had filed the original petition before the high court.

Dismissing the writ petition pending before the High Court, Chief Justice B R Gavai, heading a bench also comprising Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice N V Anjaria, directed that the fine of Rs 10 lakh be utilised for welfare schemes benefitting the underprivileged in the state.

"Time and again, we have observed that political battles should be settled before the electorate. Courts should not be used for this," Chief Justice Gavai observed while pronouncing the order.