Supreme Court stays Kayamkulam Milad-i-Memorial Trust election

The Supreme Court has stayed the executive committee election procedures of the Kayamkulam Milad-i-Memorial (MSM) Trust. A bench comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice N.K. Singh issued the stay order. The election was scheduled to take place on August 31.

The Supreme Court issued the order on a petition alleging that the Returning Officer was proceeding with the election process in disregard of a High Court directive to maintain the status quo. The scrutiny of nomination papers had been completed on August 22, and the final list of valid candidates was subsequently published.

The stay was granted on a plea moved by a group, who claims trust membership. The petitioners contended that conducting the election using the current voter list would disenfranchise 156 eligible members. Senior Advocate Nikhil Goel and Advocate Anne Mathew, appearing for the petitioners, pointed out that these 156 members had attended the General Body meetings held on February 18 and July 30, 2024.

The petitioners further argued that if the election proceeded before the petition regarding the electoral roll was resolved, their plea would be rendered infructuous. Considering these submissions, the Supreme Court stayed all further election proceedings until further orders. The apex court will hear the matter again after two weeks. Advocate Lakshmeesh S. Kamath represented the respondents in the case.