DMK plea on officials dismissed

Chennai

First bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M M Sundresh,  observed that DMK, a recognised political party, has objections to a large number of officers from the bureaucratic cadre being posted where they are.

It said: “We are of the view that the Election Commission is the appropriate authority to determine such aspect and we cannot sit in appeal over decisions as to who has to be posted where.”

The bench also recorded the aspect that DMK has made a representation to the Election Commission and it is the averment of the counsel for the Election Commission that wherever substantive reason is found, transfers have been made. However, as rightly said, it is not possible to go only by the view of the petitioner, the bench held and dismissed the petition.

DMK’s organising secretary R S Bharathi had contended that former IAS and IPS officers like Sheela Balakrishnan, Dr M Sheela Priya, K N Venkataraan, K Ra manujan, who are still in government service on extension at the mercy of the AIADMK-led state government are being involved in the election process and they are bound to behave in a manner favouring AIADMK.

Coming up with a list of over 50 such officers which included those allegedly close to the AIADMK ministers, he submitted that the Election Commission is expected to act in an unbiased manner to conduct the election in a free and fair manner.

But without keeping the officials who are totally functioning in favour of the ruling AIADMK out of the election, the objective would not be achieved and would certainly be defeated.