SC Asks Delhi HC to Resolve Two-Leaves Symbol Dispute by April

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court acting Chief justice Gita Mittal to set up a two-judge bench to decide the main dispute between the two AIADMK factions over their rival claims on the party and its 'two leaves' symbol by April end.

One faction of AIADMK is led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswamy and the other by Dhinakaran.

"The Acting Chief Justice of the High Court is requested to constitute an appropriate Division Bench, so that they can decide the lis (litigation) in question,” the bench said.

The Division Bench so constituted is requested to dispose of the main matter by the end of April as this matter requires immediate attention. The interim order passed by the Single Judge on 9 March shall remain in abeyance.

The bench 

It also asked the poll panel not to pronounce any order in pursuance of the High Court's 9 March direction asking it to hear Dhinakaran faction before considering grant of a symbol, preferably 'pressure cooker', and a suitable name to his group.

The top court also granted the liberty to both the groups to approach it "in case there is any notification for an election".

The court said that the counter affidavit filed by Palaniswamy faction before the High Court shall be taken on record and no further opportunity will be granted for filing another response.

It asked Dhinakaran group to file its rejoinder to rival group’s response within two weeks from Wednesday, 28 March.

The Delhi High Court had on 9 March directed the poll panel to allot a common symbol, preferably a 'pressure cooker', and a name to the AIADMK (Amma) faction led by Dhinakaran.

The high court order came on an application by Dhinakaran challenging an EC order of 23 November last year. The poll panel had allotted the 'two leaves' symbol to the group headed by Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, who opposed grant of any relief in the matter.