The Madras High Court dismissed a plea seeking a five-year ban on legislators who resign their seats and then contest the resulting bypolls, often on another party's ticket. The court said only Parliament or the legislature can make such a law, and courts cannot create new statutory restrictions through judicial orders. It added that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has no power, without a law, to impose a fresh five-year disqualification or recover bypoll expenses. The petition also sought to halt the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly bypolls scheduled for 6 October 2026, but no stay was granted.