Chennai: Madras high court on Thursday quashed four cases registered against former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who recently joined DMK, for alleged violations of the election code during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.Justice A D Jagadish Chandra passed the order while allowing petitions filed by Panneerselvam seeking to set aside the criminal proceedings. The cases were registered in 2024 within Paramakudi, Thiruvadanai, Thiruppullani, and Keezhakarai police station limits when Panneerselvam contested the Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency.
Prosecution said that he violated election rules by campaigning with a large number of vehicles and bursting fireworks after 10pm.Counsel Rajalakshmi, appearing for Panneerselvam, argued that three cases were registered based solely on complaints by police, without a complaint from a competent authority empowered to report violations of election rules. In the fourth case, she submitted that the charge sheet was filed beyond the prescribed time limit.
