DMK MLA Sekar Babu FIR Quash: Madras HC Forces Withdrawal As Court Refuses To Be Convinced
In a significant setback for a senior ruling-party legislator, DMK MLA PK Sekar Babu on June 26, 2026 withdrew his petition before the Madras High Court seeking to quash an FIR naming him in an alleged assault on TVK candidate Sinora PS Ashok on Tamil Nadu Assembly election polling day.
Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan, who heard the plea, stated he was not convinced by the grounds raised for quashing the FIR and indicated the court was inclined to dismiss it outright, according to LiveLaw. Sekar Babu’s counsel, faced with the court’s adverse observations, promptly sought permission to withdraw — which was granted.
Background & Case History
The case traces its origins to April 23, 2026 — polling day for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections — when an alleged altercation took place in the Mannadi area of Chennai’s Harbour constituency.
According to prosecution, PK Sekar Babu, a sitting DMK MLA representing Harbour constituency and former Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), led an attack on TVK candidate Sinora PS Ashok and party workers who were gathered outside the office of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK), a TVK alliance partner, as reported by The Federal.
Crucially, Sekar Babu’s name did not appear in the initial complaint. He was added as an accused only after further inquiry and on the directions of election authorities, according to DTNext and The Federal.
- April 23, 2026: Alleged assault on TVK candidate Sinora PS Ashok and party workers in Mannadi area, Harbour constituency, on Tamil Nadu Assembly election polling day.
- April 30, 2026: TVK candidate Sinora PS Ashok moved the Madras High Court under BNSS Section 528 in CRL OP No. 11449 of 2026, seeking police protection and citing continued threats from Sekar Babu; that petition was subsequently closed after police confirmed adequate security had been provided.
- Approximately May 23, 2026: North Beach Police Station, Chennai registered the FIR against Sekar Babu — roughly 29 days after the alleged incident — under six provisions, including the charge of attempted murder.
- June 26, 2026: Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan heard and effectively disposed of Sekar Babu’s petition to quash the FIR; the plea was withdrawn following the court’s adverse observations.
Arguments & Submissions
Sekar Babu’s counsel argued before Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan that the FIR had been registered with a significant delay of approximately 29 days after the alleged incident, and that crucially, the case was filed only after the new TVK-led government assumed office in Tamil Nadu.
The defence submitted that this timing raised serious doubts about the intent behind the registration of the FIR, implying political motivation by the incoming government against an opposition MLA, according to News Today.
No detailed submissions from the prosecution or the state government on the merits of the quash petition are separately reported in available sources beyond the court’s own adverse assessment of the grounds raised.
The Ruling: Key Findings
Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan of the Madras High Court made clear during the June 26, 2026 hearing that he was not persuaded by the arguments advanced by Sekar Babu’s counsel, according to LiveLaw.
The court observed that the grounds for quashing had not been made out and indicated it was inclined to dismiss the petition. It was at this point that Sekar Babu’s counsel sought and obtained permission to withdraw the plea.
The court dismissed the petition as withdrawn and noted that a detailed order would be issued subsequently, as reported by News Today.
The operative consequence is unambiguous: criminal proceedings against Sekar Babu under the FIR registered by North Beach Police Station — including the attempted murder charge — will continue as per law.
Legal Analysis & Implications
The FIR against Sekar Babu invokes six provisions: BNS Section 109(1) for attempted murder, Section 189(2) for unlawful assembly, Section 296(b) for abusing, Section 115(2) for causing injury, Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation, and Section 123(2)(a)(1) of the Representation of the People Act for violating election norms.
The inclusion of Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — the attempted murder provision — is the most consequential charge. It is not a bailable offence and carries serious penal consequences, making the continuation of the criminal proceedings particularly significant for a sitting legislator.
The court’s disinclination to quash signals that at this threshold stage, the FIR disclosed sufficient material to warrant a trial. The withdrawal, rather than an outright dismissal, leaves open the possibility of Sekar Babu approaching the court afresh with stronger grounds, though that path now appears considerably narrower.
This case is widely regarded as an early political and legal test of TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna’s public declaration that the party had no intention of political vendetta — a statement that places the conduct of the investigation under heightened public scrutiny on both sides.
Reactions & Stakeholder Response
PK Sekar Babu responded defiantly to the development. “These cases cannot stop my political journey. We will prove before the law that we are innocent,” the DMK MLA stated after the hearing.
His remarks reflect a posture of continued political activity despite the advancing criminal proceedings — a signal that the DMK does not intend to treat the case as a disqualifying event at this stage.
What’s Next
With the quash petition disposed of as withdrawn, the criminal case registered by North Beach Police Station, Chennai will proceed through the ordinary course of criminal law. No next hearing date for the criminal proceedings has been confirmed in available sources at the time of publication.
The Madras High Court has noted that a detailed written order on the dismissal of the quash petition will be issued subsequently, which may provide further reasoning relevant to any future proceedings in the matter.
The earlier protection petition filed by Sinora PS Ashok — CRL OP No. 11449 of 2026 — was already closed after police confirmed adequate security, per Indian Kanoon records, meaning that satellite proceeding no longer remains live.
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change or vary by case — consult a qualified lawyer before acting. The Courtroom is not liable for any reliance on this content.
