Court denies interim order to Kalam’s brother

The Madras High Court Bench here on Tuesday refused to pass any kind of interim order, before hearing the Election Commission, on a writ petition filed by A.P.J. Mohamed Muthu Meera Maraikayar, elder brother of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, challenging the Commission’s July 19 order rejecting his objection to register Abdul Kalam Vision India Party.

Justice M. Venugopal, however, ordered notice to the Commission returnable by August 17. The petitioner had accused Mr. Kalam’s former principal scientific advisor Ponraj and his associates of having floated the party by taking advantage of their proximity to Kalam and “with an intention to politically encash” the latter’s reputation and image.