CHENNAI: Madras High Court on Tuesday appointed a retired judge to hold the election for the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA), popularly known as ‘Nadigar Sangam’. This was to end the turf war within SIAA.
Appointing former Judge E Padmanabhan as election commissioner, the first Bench of Chief Justice SK Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam made it clear that the entire poll process including counting of votes and declaring the results will be done by him.
Actors Vishaal, Karthi and Nasser had earlier challenged the election notification issued by SIAA. They wanted the court to appoint a retired judge to monitor the poll process.
On June 26, a single judge of the court stayed the poll process. Challenging it, SIAA general secretary Radha Ravi moved an appeal. The court refused to interfere with the single judge’s order stating it would be appropriate to have the registrar of societies in court, and possibly an observer to oversee the election when the groups in the SIAA contested.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court appointed the former Judge to conduct the election and posted the matter to October 9 for compliance. It also made it clear that the total poll expense, including the election commissioner’s remuneration, should be borne by the SIAA.