Sat Mar 15 05:29:19 UTC 2025: ## Madras High Court Questions Funding of Political Rallies
**Chennai, March 15, 2025** – The Madras High Court raised questions on Friday about whether political parties should be financially responsible for using public spaces and police resources during rallies and meetings. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan posed the question during a hearing concerning a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) rally planned for Tiruporur.
While granting permission for the NTK rally, which advocates for a caste census and the retrieval of Panchami lands, the judge suggested the party should contribute ₹25,000 towards police security costs. He argued that police personnel are paid from public funds and have other duties to perform.
The petitioner’s counsel, S. Shankar, argued that such a precedent would hinder political gatherings, as parties often organize them to advocate for public causes. Justice Ilanthiraiyan countered that parties spend considerable sums on event logistics and should therefore contribute to security costs. The judge asked the Additional Public Prosecutor to consider this suggestion for future cases.
The initial dispute arose from the local police’s refusal to grant permission for the rally. However, after the petitioner agreed to relocate the event to a designated open ground, the court directed the police to grant permission subject to reasonable conditions.
First Piper 