Published Apr 21, 2026 | 2:25 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 21, 2026 | 2:25 PM
TVK chief VIjay and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. Credit: x.com/TVKPartyHQ, x.com/Udhaystalin
Synopsis: The Madras High Court is scrutinising election affidavits of prominent Tamil Nadu leaders ahead of the 23 April, 2026 polls. DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin faces I-T probe over missing ₹7.36 crore Red Giant investment and loan discrepancies between 2021 and 2026 filings. Meanwhile, TVK chief Vijay’s affidavits show over ₹100 crore asset variance across constituencies, termed an “irregularity” by the court.
The Madras High Court is examining alleged inconsistencies in the election affidavits filed by two prominent Tamil Nadu political figures — Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin of DMK and TVK chief Vijay — for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
The Income Tax Department has been drawn into both cases, highlighting concerns over asset disclosures, loans, and corporate filings just days before polling on 23 April, 2026.
In Udhayanidhi Stalin’s case, the I-T Department filed a counter-affidavit in the Madras HC stating that a ₹7.36 crore investment in Red Giant Movies, which he had declared in his 2021 Assembly election affidavit, is entirely missing from his 2026 nomination papers.
However, the 2026 affidavit now shows a ₹2.63 crore investment in the same company under his spouse’s name, which was not disclosed earlier.
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The I-T Department also pointed out discrepancies in loan declarations: the 2026 affidavit lists loans of around ₹10 crore, compared to ₹11.06 crore in 2021, while company financial records indicate borrowings of approximately ₹17.69 crore.
Officials noted that Stalin and his spouse file returns in the ITR-2 format (which does not require a balance sheet), making independent verification of investments difficult. Additionally, audited financials for some entities are unavailable, and Stalin’s spouse has not filed Income Tax returns for the relevant period.
Stalin has declared total assets of approximately ₹20.6 crore in his 2026 affidavit (₹12.9 crore in movable assets and ₹7.7 crore in immovable assets). His personal income for 2024-25 is shown as ₹10.4 lakh, while his spouse has reported income exceeding ₹2.9 crore.
The petition, filed by Chennai voter R Kumaravel from the Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni constituency (where Stalin is contesting), alleges material discrepancies including the disappearance of assets, unexplained loan variations, and contradictions between affidavits and corporate records.
The High Court had issued notice on 15 April and following the I-T Department’s response, has now adjourned the matter by four weeks.
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In a separate incident, on 20 April, 2026, the Madras HC issued notices to TVK chief Vijay, the Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), the Election Commission of India, and Returning Officers for the Perambur and Trichy (East) constituencies over similar affidavit inconsistencies.
Petitioner V Vignesh highlighted stark differences in asset declarations: Vijay disclosed assets worth ₹115.13 crore before the Perambur Returning Officer but ₹220.15 crore before the Trichy (East) Returning Officer.
The court orally observed that this amounts to an “irregularity,” noting that “more than ₹100 crores has not been disclosed in one constituency.”
The plea alleges suppression of high-value assets, possible routing of funds, and contradictions that cannot be dismissed as clerical errors, warranting a detailed IT probe.
It seeks a report from the I-T Department to be submitted to the Returning Officers and made public before polling to enable informed voter choice. The case has been posted for further hearing next week.
