SC Slams Brakes on AIADMK’s Scheme Naming Challenge, Fines Shanmugam Rs 10 Lakh
The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a significant blow to the AIADMK, overturning a Madras High Court order that sought to restrict the Tamil Nadu government’s use of the Chief Minister’s name and photograph in welfare schemes.
The apex court deemed the High Court’s intervention unwarranted, effectively allowing the DMK government to continue its current practices.
The High Court’s order, issued earlier, had placed limitations not only on the use of the Chief Minister’s image but also on the overall naming and promotional material related to government schemes.
The court’s decision comes as a major relief for the ruling DMK, enabling it to continue its existing communication strategies.
AIADMK leader C Ve Shanmugam, who filed the original petition, was further penalized with a Rs 10 lakh fine for what the Supreme Court described as an unwarranted legal challenge.
This ruling holds significant implications for political parties in Tamil Nadu and across the country, clarifying the boundaries of permissible government communication strategies. The case sets a precedent for future disputes concerning the use of political figures’ images in public welfare initiatives.
