Chennai: The Madras high court on Friday restrained 11 journalists from continuing with the process of election to the Chennai Press Club (CPC), pursuant to the election notification dated February 24 or any other notification of similar nature or the conduct of election on March 27 or any other date, till April 4, 2016.
Justice K.K. Sasidharan also ordered notice, returnable by April 4 to K Geethapriyan, V Anbazhagan and 9 other journalists on an application arising out of a suit filed by A. Selvaraj, a member of the CPC.
“This court has appointed former judges and advocates to conduct elections to various associations and clubs like Nadigar Sangam, Film producers' association, Film and TV Producers guild of south India, South Indian Cinematographers association and Cosmopolitan Club.
Now it is the turn of the press club, Chennai, in view of the request made by a member of the club, that to ensure free and fair election to the Press Club after 16 years, the 11 journalists, who are self styled office bearers of Chennai Press Club must be disassociated from the election process”, said Justice Sasidharan.
According to applicant, he filed a suit for appointing a former judge of the high court to take over the affairs of the press club. The 11 journalists on receipt of notice from the court, in a hasty manner and to overreach the judicial process, issued an election notice proposing to conduct the election on March 27.
Senior counsel P Wilson, appearing for the applicant contended that the 11 journalists have no right to conduct the election. It was only to overreach the court process, they have announced the election after about 16 years. The applicant only wanted a fair election after preparing a valid voter's list, Wilson added.
The judge said the affidavit filed in support of the judge's summons and the documents on record prima facie show that all was not well in CPC. “The Press has been highlighting various political and social issues and acted as a watchdog to ensure free and fair election to elect members to the Parliament, Legislative Assembly and local bodies. Such being the relevancy of Press, it is really surprising that the press club itself has not conducted election to elect its managing committee for the last 16 years”, the judge added.
The judge said the applicant has alleged serious financial irregularities and acts of mismanagement against the 11 journalists. The draft voter's list has not been published for the purpose of submission of objections and to publish the final valid list of voters. Such being the factual position, the applicant was prima facie correct in his contention that it would not be in the interest of the press club to permit the 11 journalists to go ahead with the election process, the judge added.
