In a significant development in the long-pending governance issue surrounding Pachaiyappa’s Trust, the Madras High Court has appointed retired IAS officer Mrutyunjay Sarangi as the election officer to conduct the trust’s polls.
The court has directed him to prepare and submit the election schedule by July 30.
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High Court Steps In for Election Oversight
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and K. Kumaresh Babu while hearing a review application related to a 2023 court order concerning the trust’s administration.
The appointment is aimed at ensuring a transparent and structured electoral process for one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest educational trusts.
Coordination with Trust Administrator
The bench directed Sarangi to work closely with Justice V. Parthiban, a retired Madras High Court judge who is currently serving as the administrator of the Pachaiyappa’s Trust Board.
The court instructed the election officer to finalize the draft poll schedule in consultation with the administrator and place it before the court by the stipulated deadline.
Minimum 14-Day Notice for Polling
To ensure adequate transparency and preparation, the court specified that the election notification must be published at least 14 days before the polling date.
This direction is expected to streamline the process and ensure wider participation among eligible stakeholders.
Changes in Trustee Eligibility and Voting Rights
Along with appointing the election officer, the High Court also introduced modifications in the eligibility criteria for trustees and clarified voter rights.
These revisions are seen as crucial to addressing long-standing disputes over representation and governance within the trust.
A Key Step in Trust Governance Reform
Pachaiyappa’s Trust, which manages several prominent educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, has witnessed repeated legal and administrative challenges over its elections and functioning.
The High Court’s latest intervention is being viewed as a decisive step toward restoring institutional stability, accountability and democratic governance within the trust.
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