Madras High Court Asks Tamil Nadu Govt to Finalise SOP for Political Rallies by January 5

The Madras High Court on December 19, 2025, directed the Tamil Nadu government to finalise and notify comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing political rallies, roadshows, and mass gatherings across the State by January 5, 2026, after considering objections and suggestions submitted by political parties.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan passed the direction while disposing of a batch of writ petitions led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), along with other public interest petitions seeking regulatory guidelines for political events.

The case originated from a petition filed by TVK seeking a mandamus directing police authorities across Tamil Nadu to grant permissions for political campaigns in a fair, uniform, and non-discriminatory manner. The party had complained of inconsistent practices by local police officials while granting permissions for rallies and roadshows.

While the matter was pending, a tragic stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a TVK-organised political rally at Karur, resulting in several deaths and injuries. The incident brought renewed focus on the absence of uniform safety norms and accountability mechanisms for large political gatherings.

Earlier, while hearing a related criminal writ petition, a single judge of the high court had flagged the need for clear guidelines, including on the collection of security deposits from political parties organising massive public meetings. Observing that the issue required a broader policy decision, the court had suo motu impleaded the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary of Tamil Nadu.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court, while dealing with a connected matter, held that the issue concerning formulation of SOPs for political rallies should be examined by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court. Following this, the matter was re-registered and heard along with similar petitions filed before the Madurai Bench.

During the hearings, the State government placed on record a detailed affidavit enclosing a draft SOP for regulation and management of public gatherings. The government informed the court that a high-level consultative meeting was held on November 6, 2025, chaired by senior Cabinet ministers and the Chief Secretary, with representatives of recognised political parties.

According to the State, representatives of 20 recognised political parties participated in the meeting, and draft SOPs were also circulated to 42 registered political parties seeking their inputs. The government stated that written suggestions were received, examined, and several of them were incorporated into the draft framework.

However, senior counsel appearing for TVK and other petitioners contended that while some suggestions were accommodated, several key objections and safety-related proposals were ignored. They argued that despite being permitted by the court to submit further written representations, the State had not taken a reasoned decision on all the inputs before finalising the draft SOP.

After examining the affidavit, draft SOP, and the written objections placed on record, the Division Bench held that the State must take a clear decision on each of the suggestions and objections submitted after the filing of the affidavit.

Court directed that the government shall consider the pending representations, take a decision “one way or the other,” and notify the final SOP at the earliest, and in any case no later than January 5, 2026.

The bench clarified that if any grievances remain unaddressed, or if any political party is aggrieved by conditions imposed under the final SOP, it would be open to such parties to pursue appropriate remedies available under law.

With these directions, court disposed of all the petitions, closing the connected interim applications and making no order as to costs.

Case Title: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) vs. Director General of Police and Others with connected matters

Order Date: December 19, 2025

Bench: Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan