SC asks PMK founder Ramadoss to move HC against Chennai court order

The Supreme Court on Monday asked PMK founder S. Ramadoss to approach the Madras High Court in a challenge against a Chennai court’s refusal on March 26 to direct the Election Commission of India (EC) to allot the party’s ‘mango’ symbol to him.

“The impugned order has been passed by the XIII Assistant City Civil Court, Chennai. We see no reason as to why the impugned order cannot be challenged before the High Court by way of appropriate proceedings. The High Court is requested to entertain the petition(s) owing to urgency demonstrated by the parties,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recorded in a short order.

Dr. Ramadoss is engaged in a dispute over the use of the party symbol by his estranged son and party president Anbumani. He had contended that he had assumed charge as the party president after the expiry of Dr. Anbumani’s tenure in May 2025 and subsequent decisions made by party committees supported his leadership.

The defendants had, however, argued that Dr. Anbumani remained the duly elected president, with his tenure extended by the general council.

On March 23, the apex court had prima facie agreed with an earlier Madras High Court decision dismissing his petition for a direction to the EC to decide the dispute over the party symbol. The apex court had then urged Dr Ramadoss to move the civil court.