SC Quashes Madras HC Order Restricting Use of Stalin’s Name in Tamil Nadu Schemes

Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Use of MK Stalin’s Name in Welfare Schemes, Fines AIADMK MP ₹10 Lakh.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a Madras High Court order that barred the Tamil Nadu government from using Chief Minister MK Stalin’s name in state welfare schemes. The court also imposed a ₹10 lakh fine on AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam, calling his petition an abuse of legal process.

The top court took strong exception to the selective targeting of the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, noting that similar practices are common across India. “When such schemes are floated in the name of leaders of various political parties, we do not appreciate the petitioner singling out only one party and one leader,” the bench observed, as reported by LiveLaw.

The Madras High Court had passed its order on July 31, directing the state to refrain from using the names of living political figures or displaying images of former chief ministers, ideological icons, or party symbols in any official schemes. The ruling, issued by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan, cited concerns over political branding of government welfare.

“It would not be permissible to mention the name of a living political personality in the nomenclature of a government scheme,” the High Court said, describing such acts as contrary to prior Supreme Court and Election Commission directives.

However, the apex court disagreed, ruling that the petitioner had rushed to court without exhausting other remedies. The bench noted that Shanmugam had filed his petition in the High Court just three days after submitting a representation to the Election Commission — a move the court described as premature and politically motivated.

“The petitioner abused the process of law by turning the court into an arena for political contest,” the Supreme Court said. In addition to quashing the High Court’s directive, the court ordered Shanmugam to deposit ₹10 lakh with the Tamil Nadu government. The amount is to be used specifically for welfare initiatives aimed at underprivileged communities.

The ruling sends a strong message against politically charged litigation and underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to interfere in matters perceived as partisan unless there is clear constitutional violation.