BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 12.03.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)Nos.5519, 5520 and 5521 of 2026 V.Thamilarasan ... Petitioner vs.

1.S.Ravichandran, The Returning Officer, All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association, Trichy Circle, Camp Office Punja National Bank, T.S.No. 49/2, Thiruvananthapuram Road, Kulavanigarpuram, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli – 627 005.

2.The General Secretary, All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association, Punjab National Bank, Shivaji Park, Gopi Tank Road, Mahim (West), Mumbai - 400 016.

3.The Deputy Registrar of Trade Unions, Office of the Labour Commissioner, South West, Delhi - 110 064. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, to call for the records pertaining to the impugned proceeding in Ref- Election Cir.No. 2/2026 dated 08.02.2026 of the 1^st Respondent and consequential Impugned Order of the 1^st Respondent in Election Cir.No.4/2026 15.02.2026 dated 15.02.2026 declaring some post as uncontested and unilaterally declared the result and to quash the same as illegal and unconstitutional consequently, to direct the Respondents 2 and 3 to appoint an independent and neutral returning officer and observer and conduct the election for All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association, Trichy Circle, Executive Committee – 2026 – 2029 in a democratic manner within the time stipulated by this Court.

For Petitioner :Mr.R.Sreenivasan *****

O R D E R

The petitioner has approached this Court challenging the rejection of his nomination to contest for the post of office bearer in the respondent Association.

2. According to the petitioner, his nomination was rejected by the authorities concerned, which prevented him from contesting the election. It is further stated that subsequent to the rejection of the petitioner’s nomination, the election process was conducted and the results have already been declared.

3. In view of the above subsequent developments, the grievance raised by the petitioner with regard to the rejection of his nomination cannot be independently examined in this writ petition. Once the election process has been completed and the results have been declared, the rejection of nomination merges with the declaration of the election results. Therefore, any challenge relating to the rejection of nomination must necessarily form part of an election challenge before the appropriate forum in the manner known to law.

4. Further, this Court finds that the present Writ Petition is not maintainable for another reason. The respondent Association is a private society and does not fall within the definition of “State” or “other authorities” under Article 12 of the Constitution of India. In the absence of the respondent Association being a “State” within the meaning of Article 12, a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India cannot ordinarily be maintained against it.

5. In view of the above circumstances, this Court is of the opinion that the appropriate remedy available to the petitioner is to challenge the election proceedings, including the rejection of his nomination, before the competent forum in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the relevant statute or the bye-laws governing the respondent Association.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to challenge the election in the manner known to law before the appropriate forum. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.

Index :Yes / No 12.03.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To The Deputy Registrar of Trade Unions, Office of the Labour Commissioner, South West, Delhi - 110 064.

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

cmr

12.03.2026