High Court Steps In, Dancers Association Polls Halted

Telangana High Court Stays Telugu Dancers Association Elections

The elections to the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association will not take place as scheduled on October 11. The Telangana High Court has put the polls on hold after questioning why the trial court fixed the hearing on the dispute for November 3, a date that falls well after the elections.

The dispute began after the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation decided to dissolve the association and announced fresh elections on September 24. Association president V.V. Sumalatha Devi challenged the move, arguing that the current committee’s term is valid until December 6, 2027. She approached the court seeking to stop the election process.

However, the trial court issued notice to the respondent and listed the matter for November 3 without granting interim relief. With polling scheduled for October 11, Sumalatha Devi moved the Telangana High Court against the order.

The High Court questioned the decision to hear the case only after the elections. It observed that the delay could leave the petitioner without an effective remedy if the polls went ahead before the dispute was examined. The court also noted that the trial court’s order did not explain the reasons for refusing interim protection.

The High Court has now suspended the trial court’s September 28 order and restrained the respondent from conducting the elections until it appears before the court or until further orders. Notices have been issued to the Federation.

The case will be heard again on October 30. Until then, the election process remains on hold, while the questions over the association’s dissolution and the existing committee’s tenure are yet to be settled.