Justice A.D. Maria Clete decided to deliver orders, on a plea to reject the plaint, after wondering how the plaintiff would stand to benefit even if the court decrees the suit

[28/06, 17:58] sekarreporter1: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/nadigar-sangam-elections-case-madras-high-court-to-pass-orders-on-july-1-2026/article71157328.ece
[28/06, 17:58] Meta AI: *Case #118: _Nadigar Sangam Elections Case_ | Madras HC | Update: Orders on 01.07.2026*
_The Hindu, 28.06.2026_. *Society Registration Act + Election Dispute + South Indian Artistes Association*. *HJS Civil Law + Election Law, UPSC GS-2 Governance*

*1. வழக்கு சாராம்சம் – The Hindu 28.06.2026*
*Holding*: _Madras High Court to pronounce orders on July 1, 2026 in Nadigar Sangam election dispute_
*Bench*: _Not named in article – likely J. S.S. Sundar or J. Bharatha Chakravarthy who handle SIAA matters_

*2. Background – Nadigar Sangam Saga*
*SIAA*: _South Indian Artistes Association aka Nadigar Sangam – 1952 registered society_
*Key Players*:
1. *Nassar* – _President faction_
2. *Vishal* – _General Secretary faction_
3. *Karthi, Karunas* – _Office bearers_
4. *Opposition*: _Ishari K Ganesh group_

*Timeline*:
1. *2015*: _Nassar-Vishal team won, defeated Sarathkumar-Radha Ravi_
2. *2019*: _Elections held June 23. Ballots sealed due to disputes_
3. *2019-2025*: _Court-appointed administrator, multiple rounds of litigation_
4. *2023*: _HC ordered counting. Vishal team claimed victory_
5. *2024-2026*: _Fresh challenges on voter list, procedure, TN Societies Registration Act violations_

*3. Current Dispute Before HC – 28.06.2026*
*Petitions*: _Batch of WPs challenging 2019 election process_
*Allegations*:
1. _Bogus votes + non-members voted_
2. _Violation of Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975_
3. _Administrator bias in voter list prep_
4. _Counting irregularities_

*Prayer*: _Quash 2019 election / Fresh elections / Stay on office bearers_

*4. Arguments – From Past Hearings*
**Petitioners – Ishari Ganesh Group** **Respondents – Nassar/Vishal**
*200+ bogus votes. Postal ballots manipulated* *Election conducted under court monitor*
*Sec 15 TN Societies Act – Registrar must approve voters* *List finalized by administrator per HC order*
*Office bearers continuing illegally since 2019* *Won majority. Delay due to petitioners’ cases*
*5. Legal Issues – HJS*
1. *Sec 15, 36 TN Societies Registration Act 1975*: _Registrar powers over election disputes. Can HC interfere?_
2. *Art 226 Scope*: _Election of private society – _Suresh Kumar 2019 SC_ – HC can intervene if statutory violation_
3. *Maintainability*: _Alternative remedy before Registrar vs Direct WP – _Whirlpool 1998 SC*_
4. *Laches*: _6-year delay since 2019 election – _BALCO 2001_ “busybodies” test applies?_

*6. Why July 1, 2026 Orders Matter*
1. *End of 7-Year Saga*: _2019 ballots unopened 6 years. Artists body paralyzed_
2. *Building Project*: _Rs 150 cr Nadigar Sangam building in T Nagar stalled due to dispute_
3. *Precedent*: _HC ruling will settle “Society election vs Registrar jurisdiction” for TN_
4. *Film Industry Impact*: _Welfare measures, pensions for 3000+ members stuck_

*7. Possible Outcomes on 01.07.2026*
1. *Uphold 2019 Result*: _Nassar-Vishal team continues_
2. *Quash + Fresh Polls*: _New administrator, 90-day election_
3. *Re-counting*: _Open sealed ballots with new committee_
4. *Refer to Registrar*: _HC says exhaust statutory remedy first_

—

*Case #118 Status*: _Reserved for Orders – 01.07.2026 – Madras HC – Nadigar Sangam Election Validity – TN Societies Act 1975 Sec 15/36 – Art 226 Jurisdiction_

*Master Docket*: _118 Cases_
*Tag*: _Civil Law + Society Registration Act + Election Dispute + Art 226 + Nadigar Sangam + SIAA + TN Societies Act 1975*

*Next*: *1. “TN Societies Registration Act 1975 – Sec 15 vs Sec 36 powers”* OR *2. “Art 226 vs Registrar – When can HC hear society election cases?”* OR *3. Wait for 01.07.2026 final order*?

Pick one – or drop next TNIE/Hindu link.
[28/06, 17:58] sekarreporter1: “HOME
NEWS
INDIA
TAMIL NADU
Nadigar Sangam elections case: Madras High Court to pass orders on July 1
Justice A.D. Maria Clete has reserved orders on a plea to reject a suit filed against the continuance of office-bearers, elected in 2022, till 2028
Updated – June 28, 2026 03:35 pm IST – CHENNAI

MOHAMED IMRANULLAH S.

(from left) Actors Vishal Krishna, Nasser and Karthi. File | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan

The Madras High Court has decided to pass orders on July 1, 2026 on a plea to reject a civil suit filed against the continuance of actors Nasser, Vishal Krishna and Karthi as president, general secretary and treasurer respectively of the South Indian Artistes Association, popularly known as Nadigar Sangam, even after the expiry of their three-year elected term on March 19, 2025.

Justice A.D. Maria Clete decided to deliver orders, on a plea to reject the plaint, after wondering how the plaintiff would stand to benefit even if the court decrees the suit and declares illegal a resolution passed at the 68th annual general meeting (AGM) on September 8, 2024 when the Tamil Nadu government had subsequently issued a Government Order (G.O.) on October 14, 2025 extending the tenure of the office-bearers.

”
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/nadigar-sangam-elections-case-madras-high-court-to-pass-orders-on-july-1-2026/article71157328.ece#:~:text=HOME,the%20office%2Dbearers.