CM Vijay gets court notice over alleged use of children, cash distribution during TN poll campaign

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday issued notices to TVK founder and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the Election Commission of India and several political leaders on a public interest litigation petition seeking an inquiry into alleged corrupt practices during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

A vacation bench comprising Justices G R Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan directed notices to be served on the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, DMK president M K Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, besides Vijay.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate L Vasuki from Cuddalore district. The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 29.

Allegations over use of children during campaign

In her petition, Vasuki alleged that Vijay, during an election campaign meeting held at the YMCA Grounds in Chennai on April 21, 2026, made remarks encouraging children to emotionally influence their parents regarding voting preferences.

According to the plea, the speech was widely circulated across print, digital and social media platforms and sparked extensive public debate over the alleged use of minors to shape electoral choices.

The petitioner further claimed that, following the speech, several videos and online posts surfaced purportedly showing children attempting to emotionally pressure parents over whom they should vote for.

Petition cites representation of the People Act

The plea argued that Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, categorises undue influence during elections as a corrupt practice. Vasuki contended that the allegations linked to the campaign speech required immediate scrutiny by the Election Commission and the state’s Chief Electoral Officer.

She also alleged that widespread reports of cash-for-votes surfaced across multiple constituencies during the Assembly elections.

Cash distribution allegations mentioned

The petition referred to constituencies such as Mylapore, Alangulam and Thirumangalam, where allegations and media reports relating to bribery and money distribution to voters had emerged during the campaign period.

According to the petitioner, there were also reports of public protests in certain areas over alleged discriminatory distribution of cash among voters.

The plea stated that several complaints, media reports, videos, social media posts and other digital materials connected to these allegations were already available in the public domain. In such circumstances, the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer could not claim ignorance, the petitioner argued.

EC accused of inaction

Vasuki further submitted that despite the seriousness of the allegations concerning the integrity of the electoral process, no transparent or effective inquiry appeared to have been initiated by the authorities.

The petition alleged that the “inaction” of the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer violated Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and affected the principle of free and fair elections, which forms part of the Constitution’s basic structure doctrine.

The High Court will continue hearing the matter on May 29.

Agency inputs