WP Crl./611/2026 of The Advent Christian Conference of India, Vs The Inspector of Police,

WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 8 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29-04-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 The Advent Christian Conference of India, Rep. by its President, Rev.Dr.M.G.Baktha Singh, Age 61, No.163, AAM Compound, Gandhi Road, Velacherry, Chennai-600042. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. The Inspector of Police, Law and Order, J7, Velacherry Police Station, Velacherry, Chennai-600 042. 2. P.J.Agimas ..Respondent(s) [R2, impleaded as per the order of this Court, dated 29.04.2026 in WPMP.Crl.No.355 of 2026] To issue a Writ or Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus or a Writ in the nature of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records in proceedings No.C.No.IO/J7PS/Genl/2026 dated 10.03.2026 on the file of the respondent police and quash the same and consequently direct the respondent to deploy Police protection for the election to be held on 21.03.2026 for the Petitioners Association and pass such further or other orders as this Honble Court. For Petitioner(s): Mr.V.Sundarraman For Respondent(s): Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam, Additional Public Prosecutor, for R1 Mr.D.Senthil Kumar, for R2 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 8 ORDER Read this in conjunction with and in continuation of earlier proceedings made in the previous listing on 24.04.2026, which reads as follows: “This Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus to call for the records relating to the impugned proceedings in C.No.IO/J7PS/Genl/2026 dated 10.03.2026 and to quash the same and consequently direct the respondents to provide necessary police protection for conducting the election of the Urban Christian Conference (ACCI). 2.The petitioner claims to be the President of the Advant Christian Conference of India (here in after referred as The ACCI) and submits that the said institution is governed by its registered bye-laws framed in the year 1973. It is stated that the Society was originally registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act in the year 1973 bearing Registration No.49 /1973 and subsequently fresh bye-laws were registered on 30.12.2005 under the Societies Registration Act, 1975 in Registration No.613 of 2005. 3.According to the petitioner, ever since the registration of the new byelaws, the affairs of the Society have been governed by the same. It is further submitted that the General Body, in its meeting held on 30.09.2022, resolved certain amendments relating to the tenure of office bearers. 4.At this stage, the learned counsel appearing for the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 8 proposed impleading party, namely, Mr. P.J. Agimas, submitted that he has filed an impleading petition in SR No.25444 of 2026 and that he has substantial objections with regard to the manner in which the election is proposed to be conducted and therefore he seeks to be heard in the matter. 5.The learned counsel for the petitioner opposed the said request contending that the proposed impleading party is not a member of the Society and therefore has no locus standi to raise objections in the present proceedings. 6.However, considering the nature of the dispute, which pertains to the conduct of election to a Society, and in the interest of the institution, this Court is inclined to hear the proposed impleading party, without expressing any opinion on his locus at this stage. 7.The learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that the election to the Society is proposed to be conducted on 02.05.2026 and in this regard, the petitioner had approached the respondent police seeking protection. However, the same was refused by citing pendency of O.S.A. No.26 of 2026, though no interim order has been granted therein restraining the conduct of election. 8.It is further submitted that earlier litigations, including C.S. No.234 of 2025 and connected applications, were disposed of by this Court by common order dated 19.12.2025. It is also brought to the notice of this Court that O.S.A. No.26 of 2026 is pending before the Hon’ble Division Bench relating to certain issues concerning the administration of the Society, including appointment of an observer. 9.The learned counsel for the proposed impleading https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 8 party submitted that the said O.S.A. No.26 of 2026 is listed on 27.04.2026 and appropriate orders are likely to be passed. He would further submit that the proposed election is not in compliance with the bye-laws, particularly with regard to the notice period prescribed, and therefore the election process itself is under challenge. 10.This Court finds that the issues raised in the present Writ Petition are closely connected with the subject matter pending before the Hon’ble Division Bench in O.S.A. No.26 of 2026. Therefore, any adjudication at this stage may result in conflicting orders. 11.In such view of the matter, this Court is of the opinion that the present Writ Petition can be posted after the orders of the Hon’ble Division Bench in O.S.A. No.26 of 2026. Accordingly, post this matter on 29.04.2026 under the caption “For Orders”.” 2.This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to quash the order dated 10.03.2026 in C.No.IO/J7PS/Genl/2026 passed by the respondent Police, whereby a direction was issued not to conduct election, and consequently to direct the respondent to provide adequate Police protection for conducting election to the petitioner’s Association. 3.When the matter came up before this Court on 24.04.2026, this Court adjourned the case, observing that the present petition will be taken up after the https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 8 orders of the Hon’ble Division Bench in the connected OSA.No.26 of 2026, which was listed on 27.04.2026. 4.Today, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that one Mr.P.J.Agimas, who is the petitioner in OSA.No.26 of 2026 and impleaded as the second respondent herein, had sought to stall the election. However, the Division Bench refused to grant such relief, adjourned the matter, and observed that the election may proceed as planned, and other issues will be decided in the OSA. Since O.S.A.No.26 of 2026 is pending before the Division Bench of this Court, this Court refrain from adverting to these issues. 5.The learned counsel for the petitioner and the impleaded second respondent jointly submitted that the election may be conducted on 02.05.2026 under the supervision of a retired High Court Judge. Both petitioner and impleaded respondent agreed to Mr.Justice.T.Sudanthiram (Retired) to conduct the election as Returning Officer and all co-operation will be extended to smooth and peaceful conduct of election on 02.05.2026. 6.Considering the above submissions, this Court issues the following directions: (i)Hon’ble Mr. Justice T.Sudanthiram, a former Judge of the High Court, Madras (Mobile No.9841016353), is appointed to conduct the election on https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 8 02.05.2026, in accordance with the notification. (ii)A sum of Rs.1,00,000/- shall be paid to the Hon’ble Mr. Justice T.Sudanthiram (Retd.) for conduct of election, and a sum of Rs.50,000/- shall be paid on the days for the preparatory and post election work which shall be paid by the petitioner. (iii)All concerned are directed to ensure that election is conducted in a peaceful manner. (iv)The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Guindy to provide necessary police protection and to act on the directions of the Returning Officer Mr.Justice T.Sudanthiram (Retd.) to ensure peaceful conduct of election. 7.With the above directions, this petition stands disposed of. 29-04-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No Note: Issue order copy on 30.04.2026 PVS https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 8 To 1. Hon’ble Mr. Justice T.Sudanthiram (Retd.), Old No.39/2, New No.20, Anandavelu Street, Perambur, Chennai – 600 011. 2. The Inspector of Police, Law and Order, J7, Velacherry Police Station, Velacherry, Chennai-600 042. 3.The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Arulayammanpet, Guindy, Chennai - 600032. 4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 __________ Page8 of 8 M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J. PVS WP Crl. No. 611 of 2026 29-04-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis