The Madras High Court on Wednesday refused to dismiss a civil suit filed last year challenging the continuation of actors Nasser, Vishal Krishna and Karthi as president, general secretary and treasurer of the South Indian Artistes Association, known as Nadigar Sangam, after their three-year term ended on March 19, 2025. Justice A.D. Maria Clete rejected an application by association member S.R. Sekar seeking to strike out the plaint filed by member V. Nambirajan. The suit questions a resolution from the 68th annual general meeting on September 8, 2024, allowing the office-bearers to remain until 2028. The association told the court the decision aimed to let them finish a major convention hall project. It argued that holding elections now would cost around 40 lakh rupees and strain finances. Officials had recommended an extension, leading the Tamil Nadu government to issue a Government Order on October 14, 2025, permitting the office-bearers to continue until March 19, 2028, and exempting the group from elections. The association’s counsel stated the plaintiff must also challenge the order under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act of 1975 to obtain relief, as the government can grant such exemptions when societies cite valid reasons for delaying polls.
