Madras HC Issues Notice to CM Vijay Over Perambur Election Victory Challenge

The Madras High Court on Tuesday issued notice to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on an election petition challenging his victory from the Perambur Assembly constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Justice V. Lakshminarayanan ordered notice on a petition filed by R. D. Shekar , the DMK candidate defeated by Vijay, and posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks.

In his plea, Shekar has sought to set aside Vijay's election, alleging multiple violations of election laws and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 . The petition claims that children were used during election campaigning in violation of Election Commission guidelines. It also points to alleged discrepancies in Vijay's Form 26 election affidavit , including contradictory notarial attestations in affidavits filed for Trichy and Perambur, suggesting they were notarised on the same day despite being before different notaries.

The petitioner has further alleged non-disclosure of income tax dues , failure to account for social media campaign expenditure , spending beyond the prescribed election expenditure limit, and campaigning inside a church and a temple, which he claims amount to corrupt electoral practices under the law.

A similar election petition has also been filed by DMK candidate Inigo Irudhayaraj , who lost to Vijay in the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency , raising comparable allegations against the Chief Minister's election campaign.

In the Perambur Assembly election , Vijay secured 1,20,365 votes , defeating Shekar, who polled 66,650 votes , by a margin of 53,715 votes . Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections was held on April 23, 2026 , and the results were declared on May 4, 2026 .

The High Court's issuance of notice marks the beginning of judicial scrutiny of the allegations. At this stage, the court has not expressed any view on the merits of the claims, and the matter will be examined during subsequent hearings.