HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN WP No. 30639 of 2025 and WMP No. 45563 of 2025 V.Anand Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Secretary to Government Co-Operative Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600009. 2.The Commissioner Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Societies Election Commission, No.273, Kamadhenu Supermarket, Anna Salai, Chennai-2. 3.The Secretary Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Societies
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 16-12-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN
WP No. 30639 of 2025 and
WMP No. 45563 of 2025
V.Anand
Petitioner(s)
Vs
1.The Secretary to Government Co-Operative Department, Fort St. George, Chennai-600009.
2.The Commissioner
Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Societies
Election Commission,
No.273, Kamadhenu Supermarket, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.
3.The Secretary
Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Societies
Election Commission,
No.273, Kamadhenu Supermarket, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.
4.The Registrar
Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Society, Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600010.
5.The Deputy Registrar
Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Society (Non-Loan), Kuralagam, Chennai-600108.
6.The District Election Officer
Tamil Nadu Co-Operative Society, Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai-600010.
Respondent(s)
PRAYER
Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to conduct election for the Madras Advocates’ Cooperative Society Ltd., as soon as possible as directed by the High Court vide order dated 12.06.2018 made in WP No.12560 of 2018 and in accordance with the Bye-law of the society by considering the petitioner’s representation dated 29.04.2025.
For Petitioner(s):
For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Chandrahasan
For Mr.G.Mohana Krishnan
Mrs.Geetha Thamarai Selvan
Special Government Pleader
For R1, R4 & R5
Mr.K.V.Sundararajan For R2 & R3
Mr.L.Chandra Kumar
As Court Appointed
Chairman of Committee
ORDER
The writ petition relates to conduct of election for the Madras Advocates’
Co-operative Society Limited.
2. This Court had directed finalisation of the electoral list and for holding
of elections on 12.06.2018. A Five Member Committee consisting of a Senior Advocate of this Court as well as the office bearers of several Associations was formed. The list of eligible members had to be finalised and the Election Commission was directed to conduct election soon thereafter.
3. The Committee had completed its task and handed over the list of eligible voters to the competent authority. However, the election was not conducted. Hence, this writ petition came to be presented.
4. As several years had gone by and since the Chairman of the then Committee was appointed by this Court had passed on and also since the office bearers of the several Associations had been changed, I reconstituted the Committee with Mr.L.Chandra Kumar, learned counsel to be the Chairman and the office bearers of the Law Association, Madras High Court Advocates’
Association (MHAA) and Madras Bar Association (MBA) and the Women
Lawyer Association as members to assist him in finalising the list to the Cooperative Society.
5. In order to monitor the progress, I listed the matter on 10.12.2025. On that day, Mr.L.Chandra Kumar represented that the list of members had been vetted by the Committee. The deceased members had been removed and ineligible members had also weeded out. He stated that the Committee was able to confirm around 879 members as eligible to cast their votes. He sought time to come up with the list. Hence, I posted the matter today.
6. When I took up the matter, Mr.L.Chandra Kumar has circulated the list of members. He states that this list has been shared with Mr.K.V.Sundarajan, learned counsel for the respondents 2 and 3 and Mrs.Geetha Thamarai Selvan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents 1, 4 and 5 as well as with Mr.G.Mohanakrishnan, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr.Chandra Kumar states that the list has been displayed in the canteen. Those who want to include or exclude themselves, will have an opportunity to do so till 18.12.2025.
7. The final list of members will be published on 19.12.2025. The final list will be handed over by Mr.L.Chandra Kumar to the Tamil Nadu State CoOperative Societies Election Commission on 19.12.2025. It shall be routed through the offices of Mr.K.V.Sundarajan.
8. As stated in the earlier order, Mr.K.V.Sundarajan has come up with the election schedule. The election for the office bearers shall be conducted on
28.01.2026 strictly adhering to the following schedule:
9. Being an election to a Co-operative Society of whom professionals are members, the Election Commission shall be assisted by the Committee, which had been appointed by the order of this Court on 10.12.2025. The assistance of the Committee is being directed, since the members of the Committee, will be in a position to identify the voters.
10. The Chairman of the Committee and the authorised persons of the Tamil Nadu State Co-Operative Societies Election Commission are permitted to approach the Inspector of Police, B4 Police Station, High Court Campus,
Madras – 600 104 for police protection. On such a request being made, the Inspector of Police shall provide sufficient police protection to ensure that the voting goes on in a smooth manner.
11. The Chairman of the Committee is at liberty to co-opt such person as he requires to assist him and the Tamil Nadu State Co-Operative Societies Election Commission in the conduct of election.
12. This Court place on records its appreciation for the Committee members, who have offered their services pro bono.
13. Call the matter for report of the Chairman and Election Commission on 05.02.2025.
16-12-2025 Jeni
To
1.The Secretary to Government Co Operative Department, Fort St George, Chennai-009.
2.The Commissioner
Tamilnadu Co Operative Societies
Election Commission, No.273,
Kamadhenu Supermarket, Anna Salai,
Chennai-2
3.The Secretary
Tamilnadu Co Operative Societies
Election Commission, No.273, Kamadhenu Supermarket, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.
4.The Registrar
Tamilnadu Co Operative Society,
Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk,
Chennai 10
5.The Deputy Registrar
Tamilnadu Co Operative Society (nonloan), Kuralagam, Chennai-108
6.The District Election Officer
Tamilnadu Co Operative Society,
Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk,
Chennai 10
V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN J.
Jeni
WP No. 30639 of 2025 and WMP No. 45563 of 2025
16-12-2025
