Supreme Court Steps In: A Relief for TVK MLA R Sreenivasa Sethupathi

The Supreme Court has intervened to suspend a Madras High Court order that had barred TVK MLA R Sreenivasa Sethupathi from participating in the floor test of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The High Court's initial order cited the need for an election petition, but proceeded with an Article 226 petition.

During the hearing, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and Vijay Bishnoi expressed their disapproval of the High Court's action. Article 226 of the Constitution empowers High Courts to issue certain writs.

R Sreenivasa Sethupathi, who narrowly defeated the DMK's K R Periakaruppan for the Tiruppattur assembly seat, is challenging the interim order. The Supreme Court has granted two weeks for Periakaruppan and other respondents to file their counter affidavits, while the TVK government has won the confidence motion vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)