Justice Padmanabhan (Retd) appointed to hold SIAA elections

The Madras High Court today appointed retired Judge, Justice E Padmanabhan, as Election Commissioner for conducting elections to South Indian Artists Association, an apex body of actors.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam before whom the appeal filed by SIAA General Secretary Radha Ravi came up today, announced this with the approval of all parties concerned and listed the case for compliance.
The previous elections were also conducted by Justice Padmanabhan as Election Commissioner.
The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, who was present, made a similar suggestion, which was agreed to by all concerned.

The court said the election date and issuance of notice would be in consultation with Justice Padmanabhan. It was open to him to call for any record for the Appellant and issue directions for the purpose.
On July 7, the court had declined to alter an order of a single Judge who stayed the election to SIAA.

Justice Baabu had on June 26 stayed the election, scheduled for July 15, holding that the poll notification was not issued in accordance with the bye laws of SIAA.
On an appeal by the SIAA General Secretary seeking a stay on the order, the court had directed the Registrar of Societies to verify the bye laws of the Association and submit a report by July 27.

The single judge had stayed the elections on petitions by actors Vishal, Naseer and Karthi who sought to declare as null and void the election notification issued by SIAA on June 5.
They found fault with the manner in which the election was declared by Radha Ravi and President Sarathkumar who they alleged wanted to remain as office bearers for life.