Cases filed, trust moves HC to unseal hall 

The action follows Stalin meeting with muthavallis and leaders of the Muslim community in Ambur at a private marriage hall which was off limits to the media on Thursday, when Stalin sought support for the DMK candidate from tannery workers in the area.

The case was registered under sections171F (undue influence in an election), 171C (undue interference in a person’s electoral right) and 188 (disobeying an order promulgated by a government official). Cases were also registered against the marriage hall owner and also the private tannery owner, sources revealed. Stalin had camped overnight at Ambur in a bid to consolidate the minority vote in favour of the DMK candidate.

Meanwhile, the NMZ Trust running the function hall in Ambur has moved the Madras High Court challenging the lock and seal of their hall by the local Tahsildar on August 1, citing violation of the model code of conduct.

Justice PD Audikesavalu, before whom the plea came up for hearing on Friday, referred the matter to the Chief Justice for placing it before theappropriate bench hearing election matters.

A Akbar Bach, manager, NMZ trust submitted that the hall was rented out for holding a meeting to discuss the issues relating to Haj pilgrimage and Bakrid celebrations on August 1.

But, immediately after the meeting was over, the local Tahsildar came and locked and sealed the premises on the alleged charge of violation of the model code of conduct.

Petitioner said that he made a representation to the Collector to remove the seal on the same day. But the official refused to even receive the petition.

The hall had been booked for holding a marriage on August 4 and unless the hall was opened, the marriage cannot take place and the same would cause serious prejudice and hardship to the family members and their relatives of the persons whose marriage is scheduled to be held.

Based on this, the petitioner prayed for a direction to the Collector and Tahsildar to remove the lock and seal at once.

Though not mentioned in the petition, sources say that the lock and seal transpired after DMK president and Opposition leader MK Stalin participated in a function in the hall.