HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has temporarily stayed the elections of the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association, which were scheduled to be held on October 11, 2026. The court directed that the elections should not be conducted until further orders.
The High Court questioned the trial court’s decision to schedule the next hearing after the proposed election date, observing that such a delay could render the relief sought by the petitioner ineffective.
Sumalatha Devi Challenges Association’s Dissolution
V. V. Sumalatha Devi, president of the association, challenged the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation’s decision to dissolve the association on September 23, 2026.
The Federation subsequently issued an election notification on September 24, announcing elections on October 11 to elect a new executive committee for the 2026–2028 term.
However, Sumalatha Devi contended that the existing executive committee’s tenure would continue until December 6, 2027, and challenged the validity of the election notification. She approached the civil court seeking continuation of the existing committee and a stay on the elections.
High Court Questions Trial Court’s Decision
On September 28, the petitioner filed an interim application seeking a stay on the election process. However, the trial court scheduled the next hearing for November 3, 2026, without granting an interim stay.
Challenging this decision, the petitioner approached the Telangana High Court.
On October 8, Justice M. B. Lakshmi heard the matter and observed that the trial court had not clearly explained its reasons for refusing interim relief. The High Court noted that the elections were scheduled for October 11 and that the dispute should have been considered before the election process was completed.
The court also observed that hearing the case after the elections could make the petitioner’s request for relief ineffective.
Elections Suspended Until Further Orders
Considering the urgency of the matter, the High Court suspended the trial court’s docket order dated September 28 and directed that the October 11 elections must not be conducted until the Federation appeared and presented its arguments or until further orders were issued.
The court also directed that notices be issued to the respondent, including personal notice.
Next Hearing on October 30
The High Court scheduled the next hearing for October 30, 2026, after the Dasara court vacation. The Federation will have an opportunity to present its arguments at the next hearing.
The High Court’s interim order has temporarily halted the election process. The next hearing is expected to address the dispute over the association’s dissolution, the tenure of the existing executive committee and the validity of the election notification.
The development has drawn attention within the Telugu film industry, with the association’s future leadership now depending on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.
