HC quashes poll code violation cases against L Murugan

Chennai: Madras high court on Thursday quashed two criminal cases registered against Union minister L Murugan for alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.Justice A D Jagadish Chandra passed the order while allowing a plea moved by the minister. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Murugan contested from the Nilgiris constituency as a candidate of BJP. At that time, a case was registered against him for allegedly conducting a public meeting without permission in Kadanadu village near Thenadukombai. This case was under trial before the Udhagamandalam magistrate court.Similarly, another case was filed against him for allegedly holding an election-related consultation meeting in violation of rules at a school in Sathyamangalam within the same constituency. This case was pending before the Erode magistrate court.Murugan moved the high court to quash both the cases. He argued that chargesheets were not filed in both the cases within the stipulated time. Recording the submissions, the court quashed the two criminal cases pending before the trial courts.