Kerala High Court
Sumesh Kumar K.A vs The State Election Commissioner on 29 October, 2025
Author: P.V. Kunhikrishnan
Bench: P.V. Kunhikrishnan
2025:KER:81115
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V. KUNHIKRISHNAN
WEDNESDAY, THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025 / 7TH KARTHIKA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 40158 OF 2025
PETITIONER/S:
SUMESH KUMAR K.A.,
AGED 53 YEARS
S/O. APPUKUTTAN M.K., KONATHANPATHIL HOUSE,
KANJIRAM P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, PIN - 686020
BY ADVS.
SMT.NISHA GEORGE
SHRI.SIDHARTH.R.WARIYAR
SRI.GEORGE POONTHOTTAM (SR.)
RESPONDENT/S:
1 THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION,
CORPORATION OFFICE COMPLEX, LMS JUNCTION, PALAYAM,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695033
2 THE DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER/
DISTRICT COLLECTOR, COLLECTORATE, KOTTAYAM, PIN -
686002
3 THE ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER/
SECRETARY, THIRUVARPPU GRAMA PANCHAYAT, THIRUVARPU
P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, PIN - 686020
4 THIRUVARPPU GRAMA PANCHAYAT
REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, THIRUVARPPU GRAMA
PANCHAYAT, THIRUVARPU P.O., KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, PIN
- 686020
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
2
5 THE DISTRICT JOINT DIRECTOR (SOUGHT TO BE
IMPLEADED)
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT, CIVIL
STATION, COLLECTORATE P.O., KOTTAYAM (SOUGHT TO BE
IMPLEADED)
BY ADV SHRI.DEEPU LAL MOHAN, SC, STATE ELECTION
COMMISSION, KERALA
SPL GP SMT DEEPA K R,
SRI SURIN GEORGE IPE, SC
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION
ON 29.10.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
3
P.V. KUNHIKRISHNAN, J
--------------------------------
W.P (C) No.40158 of 2025
-------------------------------
Dated this the 29th day of October, 2025
JUDGMENT
The above Writ Petition (C) is filed with the following
prayers:
"i) Issue a writ of mandamus calling for the entire
records leading to Exhibit P17, including
photographs and statements recorded during
enquiry;
ii) Issue a writ of certiorari quashing Exhibit P17
to the extend that it deletes the name of the
petitioner, his wife and daughter from the voters'
list;
iii) Declare that the petitioner is an "ordinary
resident" of Ward No. 11 within the meaning of
Section 21(2) of the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act,
1994;
iv) Direct the respondents to include the names
of the petitioner, his wife, and daughter in the
final voters' list of Ward No. 11 of Thiruvarpu
Panchayat;
v) Dispense with the filing of English translations
of vernacular documents;
vi) Grant such other reliefs as this Court "
[SIC]
2. The petitioner is a resident of Arunnoottimangalam, i.e.,
ward No.11 of Thiruvarppu Panchayat, Kottayam. He is the elected
representative from ward No. 11 in the 2020 Local Body Elections
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
to the Thiruvarppu Panchayat, is the submission. It is the case of
the petitioner that he has been a resident of the ward for more
than 50 years and is an active social worker in the ward. The
petitioner is aggrieved by the illegal deletion of his name, as well
as those of his wife and daughter, from the final voters' list, based
on a complaint. According to the petitioner, the deletion of the
name of the petitioner is ill-motivated and aimed solely to
preclude the petitioner from contesting the ensuing local body
elections. It is also the case of the petitioner that, despite
conducting an enquiry in person, taking photos and recording
statements of nearby residents, and being satisfied with the
petitioner's residential status, the 3rd respondent arbitrarily
deleted the names of the petitioner, his wife and daughter from
the voters' list. The writ petition was filed originally without
producing the order passed by the Electoral Registration Officer.
Subsequently, when the order is received, the same are produced
as Ext.P20 to Ext.P23. Aggrieved by the same, this writ petition is
filed.
3. Heard the Senior Counsel Adv. George Poonthottam,
instructed by Adv. Nisha George and the Standing Counsel
appearing for the Election Commission. I also heard the Special
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
Government Pleader appearing for the 4th respondent, Grama
Panchayat.
4. A short point raised by the petitioner is narrated in the
ground 'K' of the Writ Petition. It will be better to extract the
ground 'K' of the writ petition.
"K. Exhibits-P20 to P23 are absolutely illegal,
unjustified and improper. The orders provide no
reasons for the deletion of the name of the
petitioner from the final voters' list. In fact, the
orders are dated 21.10.2025, which is the date
of hearing mentioned in Ext-P13 to P13(c)
notices. Following the hearing, the 3rd
respondent conducted an enquiry in person on
24.10.2025, and photographs were taken.
Exhibits-P20 to P23 have been passed in an
arbitrary and mechanical manner and is
opposed to law. Under such circumstances, the
orders passed even before enquiry is bad in law
and liable to be quashed."
5. When such a contention was raised, this Court directed
the Standing Counsel appearing for the Election Commission and
also the Standing Counsel appearing for the Panchayat to get
instructions. Today, the Standing Counsel appearing for the
Election Commission handed over a report submitted by the
Electoral Registration Officer, who is the Secretary of the Grama
Panchayat. It will be better to extract the same.
" തിരുവാർപ്പ് ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത് 11-ാം വാർഡ് ഭാഗം 1
വോട്ടർപട്ടികയിൽ ക്രമ നമ്പർ 567 ആയി
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
ഉൾപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുള്ളതും 11-ാം വാർഡ് മെമ്പറുമായ ശ്രീ.
സുമേഷ് കോണത്തൻപതിൽ എന്ന വ്യക്തിയെ
വോട്ടർപട്ടികയിൽ നിന്നും ഒഴിവാക്കണമെന്നാവശ്യപ്പെട്ട്
4194414, 4353790, 4353953, 4354102 ഫോറം 5
അപേക്ഷകൾ ടി ഓഫീസിൽ ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളതാണ്. ടി
അപേക്ഷകളിന്മേലുള്ള നടപടിക്രമങ്ങളുടെ ഭാഗമായി
മേൽ ഫോറം 5 സമർപ്പിച്ച ആക്ഷേപകർക്കും ശ്രീ.
സുമേഷ് മെമ്പർക്കും 21/10/2025 തീയതി 11.30 ന്
ആക്ഷേപങ്ങൾ, ആയതിന്മേലുള്ള വാർഡ് ക്ലർക്കിന്റെ
അന്വേഷണ റിപ്പോർട്ട്, ഹിയറിംഗ് എന്നിവയുടെ
അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ ശ്രീ സുമേഷ് കോണത്തൻപതിൽ
എന്ന പഞ്ചായത്ത് മെമ്പറെ വോട്ടർ പട്ടികയിൽ നിന്നും
ഒഴിവാക്കുന്നതിന് തീരുമാനിച്ചു. ERMS സോഫ്റ്റ് വെയറിൽ
രേഖപ്പെടുത്തൽ വരുത്തുന്നതിന് 24/10/2025 വരെ
സമയം അനുവദിച്ചിരുന്നു. ആയതിനാൽ ERMS സോഫ്റ്റ്
വെയറിൽ ടി ഒഴിവാക്കൽ സംബന്ധിച്ച
രേഖപ്പെടുത്തലുകൾ ഒന്നും തന്നെ നടത്തിയിരുന്നില്ല.
ഒഴിവാക്കുന്നത് പഞ്ചായത്തിലെ ഒരു തെരഞ്ഞെടുക്കപ്പെട്ട
ജനപ്രതിനിധിയെ ആയതിനാൽ നന്നായി ആലോചിച്ച്
ഒരു തീരുമാനം എടുക്കേണ്ടതിനാലാണ് സോഫ്റ്റ്
വെയറിൽ രേഖപ്പെടുത്തലുകൾ വൈകിയത്. മാത്രമല്ല
വ്യാജവാടക കരാറുണ്ടാക്കി തിരുവാർപ്പ് ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത്
വോട്ടർപട്ടികയിൽ വ്യാപകമായി ആളെ ചേർക്കുന്നതായി
ഇന്ത്യൻ നാഷണൽ കോൺഗ്രസ്സും മുസ്ലീം ലീഗും നേരിട്ട്
പരാതി നല്കുകയുമുണ്ടായി. 24/10/2025 തീയതി രാവിലെ
ശ്രീ. സുമേഷ് മെമ്പർ, ഒന്നാം വാർഡ് മെമ്പർ ശ്രീ.മുരളി
കൃഷ്ണൻ എന്നിവർ നേരിട്ടെത്തി 11-ാം വാർഡിൽ
തന്നെയാണ് സുമേഷ് മെമ്പർ സ്ഥിരതാമസമെന്ന്
അറിയിക്കുകയും വോട്ടർ പട്ടികയിൽ നിന്നും
ഒഴിവാക്കരുതെന്ന് ആവശ്യപ്പെടുകയുമുണ്ടായി.
ഒഴിവാക്കപ്പെടേണ്ട വ്യക്തി നിലിവിലെ
തെരഞ്ഞെടുക്കപ്പെട്ട ഒരു ജനപ്രതിനിധി ആയതിനാൽ
ഒരു പുനരന്വേഷണം കൂടി സൂപ്പർവൈസറി തലത്തിൽ
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
നടത്തേണ്ടതുണ്ട് എന്ന് സെക്രട്ടറിക്ക്
ബോദ്ധ്യപ്പെട്ടതിനാൽ ERMS സോഫ്റ്റ് വെയർ മുഖേന ടി
വ്യക്തിയെ ഒഴിവാക്കുന്നതിന് മുൻപ് ഗ്രാമപഞ്ചായത്ത്
സെക്രട്ടറി, അസിസ്റ്റന്ററ് സെക്രട്ടറി, ജൂനിയർ സൂപ്രണ്ട്
എന്നിവർ നേരിട്ട് വാർഡ് ക്ലർക്ക് സമർപ്പിച്ച
അന്വേഷണ റിപ്പോർട്ടിന്റെ നിജസ്ഥിതി
പരിശോധിക്കുന്നതിനായാണ് 24/10/2025 - ൽ ഒരു
പുനരന്വേഷണം കൂടി നടത്തിയത്. ഈ
അന്വേഷണത്തിൽ ശ്രീ. സുമേഷ് മെമ്പർ നിലവിൽ
കോട്ടയം മുൻസിപ്പാലിറ്റിയിലെ സാധാരണ
താമസക്കാരനാണെന്ന് ബോദ്ധ്യപ്പെട്ടതിന്റെ
അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിൽ 24/10/2025 തീയതി ERMS സോഫ്റ്റ്
വെയർ മുഖേന ടി വ്യക്തിയെ 11-ാം വാർഡിലെ വോട്ടർ
പട്ടികയിൽ നിന്നും ഒഴിവാക്കിയിട്ടുള്ളതാണെന്ന വിവരം
ബോധിപ്പിച്ചു കൊള്ളുന്നു."
6. From the above, it is clear that, after passing the
impugned order, the Electoral Registration officer conducted a
verification and inspection to find out whether the findings in the
impugned order are correct or not. The Standing Counsel
appearing for the Panchayat submitted that there is no such
verification. But a perusal of the above report of the Electoral
Registration Officer shows that, after the impugned order was
passed, since the petitioner is a ward member, another verification
was conducted. That itself shows that the Electoral Registration
Officer himself is confused about his earlier order. I am of the
considered opinion that the matter is to be reconsidered by the
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
Electoral Registration Officer.
7. The Senior Counsel also takes me through clause 2.4.2
of Ext.P18. It will be better to extract the same.
"ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു പ്രത്യേക കാലയളവിലേയ്ക്ക്
തുടർച്ചയായി താമസിക്കണമെന്നോ, ഇടയ്ക്ക് ഒരു
ഭംഗവും ഉണ്ടാകാൻ പാടില്ലന്നോ നിർബന്ധമില്ല.
ഔദ്യോഗികകാരണമായോ അല്ലെങ്കിൽ
വിനോദത്തിനു വേണ്ടിയോ ഉള്ള താത്കാലിക
അസാന്നിദ്ധ്യം സാധാരണതാമസക്കാരൻ എന്ന
സങ്കൽപ്പത്തിന് തടസമുണ്ടാക്കുന്നതായി
കണക്കാക്കേണ്ടതില്ല. ഒരു പ്രത്യേക സ്ഥലത്ത് ഒരാൾ
സാധാരണ താമസക്കാരനാണോ അല്ലയോ
എന്നുള്ളത് ഒരു വസ്തുതാപരമായ പ്രശ്നമാണ്.
തിരിച്ചുവരാനുള്ള കഴിവും തിരിച്ചുവരാനുള്ള
ഉദ്ദേശ്യവുമുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, ഹ്രസ്വകാലത്തേക്കുള്ള
അസാന്നിദ്ധ്യം സാധാരണതാമസക്കാരൻ എന്ന
യോഗ്യത ഇല്ലാതാക്കുന്നില്ല".
8. While reconsidering the matter, the Electoral
Registration Officer will also consider the relevant portion
extracted above of Ext.P18.
Therefore, this Writ Petition is allowed in the following
manner:
1. Exts.P20 to P23 are set aside.
2. The 3rd respondent is directed to reconsider the
complaint raised against the petitioner, after
giving an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
and other affected parties, as expeditiously as
possible, at any rate, within one week from today.
3. The applicability of clause 2.4.2 of Ext.P18 and
Section 21 of the Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 will also
be considered while deciding the matter.
Sd/-
P.V. KUNHIKRISHNAN
JUDGE
SSG
Judgment reserved NA
Date of judgment 29.10.2025
Judgment dictated 29.10.2025
Draft Judgment Placed 29.10.2025
Final Judgment Uploaded 29.10.2025
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
APPENDIX OF WP(C) 40158/2025
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE
DRAFT VOTERS' LIST PUBLISHED FOR WARD NO.
11 ARUNNOOTTIMANGALAM IN THIRUVARPPU
PANCHAYAT SHOWING THE NAMES OF THE
PETITIONER, HIS WIFE HARSHAMOL AND
DAUGHTER ADITHYA AS ENTRIES 567 - 569.
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF THE
VOTERS' LIST PUBLISHED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE GENERAL ELECTIONS SHOWING THE NAMES
OF THE PETITIONER AND HIS WIFE AS ENTRIES
329 AND 330.
Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE BASIC TAX RECEIPT DATED
28.05.2025 ISSUED FROM THE THIRUVARPPU
VILLAGE OFFICE SHOWING PAYMENT OF TAX BY
THE PETITIONER
Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF SITE APPROVAL AND BUILDING
PERMIT NO. 3124/20/A5 DATED 03.07.2020,
SUBSEQUENTLY RENEWED AS PER APPLICATION
DATED 30.09.2025 ISSUED BY THE 4TH
RESPONDENT PANCHAYAT
Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF RENTAL AGREEMENT DATED
27.05.2025 BETWEEN ONE SRI. K T
SIVAPRASAD AND THE PETITIONER EVIDENCING
THAT THE PETITIONER HAS TAKEN OUT SPACE
IN BUILDING NO. 280 OF WARD 11 OF
THIRUVARPPU PANCHAYAT FOR HIS RESIDENTIAL
USE ON MONTHLY RENT OF RS. 5,000/-
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE AADHAR CARD NO.
317218687843 ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY
THE PANCHAYAT TO THE PETITIONER SHOWING
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE PANCHAYAT ELECTED
Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
REGISTRATION OF ATHER ELECTRIC SCOOTER
BEARING REGN. NO. KL 05 AZ 3834
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER
AND SHOWING HIS ADDRESS
Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF RATION CARD ISSUED IN THE
NAME OF THE WIFE OF THE PETITIONER,
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
SHOWING THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER AND
Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF RELEVANT PAGE OF THE
PASSBOOK OF ACCOUNT NO. 005100100213073
MAINTAINED AT DHANLAXMI BANK, KOTTAYAM
BRANCH
Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF COMMUNICATION DATED
29.11.2024 FROM ADV. K. FRANCIS GEORGE,
MP ADDRESSED TO THE PETITIONER
Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF LETTER DATED 26.08.2024
ISSUED TO THE PETITIONER IN HIS CAPACITY
AS SECRETARY, PRIYADARSHINI HARITHA
KARSHAKA SANKAM FROM THE MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE & FARMERS' WELFARE
Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF THE HEARING NOTICE DATED NIL
ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE
PETITIONER IN RELATION TO COMPLAINT
PREFERRED BY SRI. PRAVEEN THAMPI.
Exhibit P13(a) TRUE COPY OF THE HEARING NOTICE DATED NIL
ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE
PETITIONER IN RELATION TO COMPLAINT
PREFERRED BY SRI. PREMJITH
Exhibit 13(b) TRUE COPY OF THE HEARING NOTICE DATED NIL
ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE
PETITIONER IN RELATION TO COMPLAINT
PREFERRED BY SRI. BIBIN.
Exhibit P13(c) TRUE COPY OF THE HEARING NOTICE DATED NIL
ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE
PETITIONER IN RELATION TO COMPLAINT
PREFERRED BY SRI.ASSIS.
Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF THE RECEIPT DATED 23.10.2025
ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT PANCHAYAT.
Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED
24.10.2025 PREFERRED BY THE PETITIONER
BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT
Exhibit P16 TRUE COPY OF REPRESENTATION DATED
24.10.2025 PREFERRED BY THE PETITIONER
BEFORE THE 2ND RESPONDENT
Exhibit P17 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT ONLINE PAGE OF
THE VOTERS' LIST SHOWING THE STATUS OF
THE NAMES OF THE PETITIONER, HIS WIFE AND
DAUGHTER AS 'DELETED'.
Exhibit P18 TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT PAGES OF
HANDBOOK FOR ELECTORAL REGISTRATION
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WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
OFFICERS
Exhibit P19 TRUE COPY OF APPEAL MEMORANDUM BEING
PREFERRED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE
2ND RESPONDENT DATED 26.10.2025 WITHOUT
ANNEXURES.
Exhibit P20 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 21.10.2025 OF
THE 3RD RESPONDENT, DELETING THE NAME OF
THE PETITIONER FROM THE FINAL VOTERS'
LIST, ON THE BASIS OF EXT-P13 OBJECTION.
Exhibit P21 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 21.10.2025 OF
THE 3RD RESPONDENT, DELETING THE NAME OF
THE PETITIONER FROM THE FINAL VOTERS'
LIST, ON THE BASIS OF EXT-P13(A)
OBJECTION
Exhibit P22 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 21.10.2025 OF
THE 3RD RESPONDENT, DELETING THE NAME OF
THE PETITIONER FROM THE FINAL VOTERS'
LIST, ON THE BASIS OF EXT-P13(B)
OBJECTION.
Exhibit P23 TRUE COPY OF ORDER DATED 21.10.2025 OF
THE 3RD RESPONDENT, DELETING THE NAME OF
THE PETITIONER FROM THE FINAL VOTERS'
LIST, ON THE BASIS OF EXT-P13(C)
OBJECTION
Exhibit P24 TRUE COPY OF FILE NOTE OF FILE NO.
4232622-2025 OF THE PANCHAYAT CREATED ON
30.08.2025.
Exhibit P25 TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF
NOTICE, RECORDING REASONS FOR DELETING
THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER SHOWING THE
DATE 21.10.2025.
Exhibit P25(a) TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF
NOTICE, RECORDING REASONS FOR DELETING
THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER SHOWING THE
DATE 21.10.2025
Exhibit P25(b) TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF
NOTICE, RECORDING REASONS FOR DELETING
THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER SHOWING THE
DATE 21.10.2025.
Exhibit P25(c) TRUE COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF
NOTICE, RECORDING REASONS FOR DELETING
THE NAME OF THE PETITIONER SHOWING THE
DATE 24.10.2025
Exhibit P26 TRUE COPY OF THE APPEAL DATED 28.10.2025
2025:KER:81115
WP(C) NO.40158 OF 2025
SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE
5TH RESPONDENT, WITHOUT ITS ANNEXURES.
