High Court
Madras High Court
Chennai
The Madras High Court is one of India's oldest High Courts, established in 1862. It has jurisdiction over the state of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
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News & Updates Published
Order
Can Citizens Be Blamed for Acting on Their Own When Official Machinery Fails?: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on October 9, 2026, intervened in a case involving villagers from Ammapatti and Nagappanpatti in Sivagangai district, who opposed road construction linked to a solar power project operated by a commercial entity known as Kwality Shutters. The company had installed solar…
Order
Appointment of Tamil Nadu Director of Legal Studies Stayed for Six Weeks Over Promotion Rules: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has stayed for six weeks the Tamil Nadu Government’s order temporarily promoting Dr. Gowri Ramesh as Director of Legal Studies at Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. Justice Mummineni Sudheer Kumar passed the interim order on October 1, 2026, in W.P. No. 40231 of 2026. The petition was filed…
Judgment
Mother Granted Permanent Custody of Daughter, Permitted to Take Child to Canada: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has granted a mother permanent custody and guardianship of her minor child and permitted her to take the child to Canada, where she lives and works. Justice P.B. Balaji passed the order on October 7, 2026, in O.P. No. 209 of 2025. The mother and father had separated following the dissolution of…
Order
FCRA Registration Plea Rejected After Zen Trust Failed to Disclose Its Religious Nature: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed CMA(MD) No. 1057 of 2026, filed by Kanzeon Public Charitable Trust, Montessori School, Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal, against the Union of India. The Trust, founded in 2021 and registered under Sections 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax Act, had sought registration…
Order
Unsubstantiated Allegations and Childlessness Alone Cannot Establish Matrimonial Cruelty, Divorce Denied: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a husband’s appeal seeking divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The judgment was delivered on 30.09.2026 by a Bench comprising Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi. The couple married on 18.06.2007 at…
Judgment
Refuses to Recall Microplastics Labelling Order, Holds Disclosure in Packaged Water, Sugar and Salt Is Not Premature: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has refused to review or recall its 06.02.2026 order directing labelling disclosures for plastic/PET bottled drinking water, sugar and salt. The ruling was delivered on 28.09.2026 by a Bench comprising Justice N. Sathish Kumar and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy. The review application was filed…
Order
Woman Owning ₹1.7 Crore Flat and Luxury Cars Awarded ₹1 Lakh Monthly Maintenance, Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a criminal revision challenging a maintenance order passed by the VI Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Chennai. The case arose from a dispute between a man and a woman who said they had married on 20.01.2020 at a temple at Uthiramerur and later lived together. The woman said…
Order
Everyday Matrimonial Disputes and Family Friction Alone Cannot Establish Cruelty or Desertion for Divorce: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed two appeals filed by a husband challenging a Family Court order that rejected his divorce petition and allowed his wife’s plea for restitution of conjugal rights. The couple married on 09.09.2015 at S.N.S. Mahal, Vadiveeswaram, Nagercoil. A female child was born…
Order
Sentence Suspended, Bail Granted in SC/ST Act Case: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has suspended the substantive sentence imposed on Anand in a case arising from Crime No.14 of 2021 and ordered his release on bail pending disposal of his appeal. Justice M. Nirmal Kumar passed the order on 28 September 2026 in CRL MP No.9091 of 2026 in CRL A No.672 of 2026. The petition was…
Judgment
RPG Enterprises’ Trademark Challenge Dismissed: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a trademark rectification petition filed by RPG Enterprises Limited against the registration of “RPG Marble Pvt. Ltd.” in the name of RPG Marble Pvt Ltd. The petition was filed under Section 57, Trade Marks Act, 1999, challenging Registration No. 1474334, registered on 28.07.2006 in…
Order
Plea Seeking Election Expense Deposit and Five-Year Ban on Resigning MLAs Rejected: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a public interest petition seeking new restrictions on elected legislators who resign voluntarily and later seek to contest elections again. Advocate K.Suthan filed W.P.No.36274 of 2026 against the Union of India, the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil…
Order
‘If There Can Be House Wives, There Can Be House Husbands’: Marriage Dissolved by Mutual Consent: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dissolved the marriage of Dr.K.Venkatesan and Dr.V.Aarthi, who were married on 9 February 2011 at Tiruvannamalai. The couple, both doctors, had two children. Dr.Venkatesan pursued higher medical qualifications while Dr.Aarthi stayed with her parents at Theni and cared for…
Judgment
Public Funds Cannot Be Given to ‘Favoured Few’; Audit Suggested of ‘Scandalously High’ Fees Paid to Government Law Officers: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court raised serious concerns regarding the manner in which public money is being spent on payment of fees to government law officers. The observations were made by Justice G.R. Swaminathan while deciding a writ petition relating to unpaid legal fees claimed by a former standing counsel of a municipal…
Judgment
Jaipur Restaurant’s Co-Ownership Claim to ‘Dasaprakash’ Trademark Rejected: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has rejected a claim by a Jaipur-based company seeking to be recognised as a co-owner of the “Dasaprakash” trademark, holding that the brand is a jointly owned family mark that cannot be transferred by a single family member. The Court’s judgment was delivered by Justice N Anand Venkatesh on…
Judgment
Non-Bailable Warrant Quashed in Maintenance Case; Trial Courts Directed to Follow Sequence under Section 87 CrPC: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently emphasized the importance of following proper procedure while issuing Non-Bailable Warrants (NBW) in maintenance cases. Justice L Victoria Gowri observed that the object of Section 125 CrPC is social justice. Courts must ensure that maintenance orders are implemented while safeguarding…
Judgment
State Permitted to Carry Out Development Works on Land Leased to Madras Race Club Citing “Overarching Public Interest”: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has permitted the Tamil Nadu Government to proceed with strengthening four existing ponds and developing an Eco Park on land previously leased to the Madras Race Club. The Division Bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq modified an earlier status quo order that had stopped…
Judgment
Misuse of POCSO Act Undermines Its Objective; Trial Courts Must Act Against Individuals Filing False Complaints: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has raised serious concern over the growing misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Justice B. Pugalendhi observed that many adults lodge false complaints under the Act to settle personal or political scores, which ultimately weakens the true purpose for which the…
Judgment
Section 138 of NI Act Not Attracted on Dishonour of Cheque Issued to Return Bribe Amount: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has held that dishonour of a cheque issued for returning a bribe amount cannot attract Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act, because such money is not a legally enforceable debt. Justice K Murali Shankar delivered this important ruling while hearing an appeal challenging an acquittal order.…
Judgment
"Protector Became The Source Of Suffering",Court Upholds Father's Conviction For Sexually Harassing His Minor Daughters: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has upheld the conviction of a man for subjecting his two minor daughters to sexual harassment, calling it a deeply painful and disturbing case. The Court stressed that the father, expected to protect his children, had instead become the source of their suffering. The bench of Justice N. Sathish…
Judgment
Hostels for Working Men and Women Classified as Residential, Not Commercial Properties for Tax Purposes: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court, in a significant judgment delivered by Justice Krishnan Ramasamy, held that hostels for working men and women cannot be classified as commercial properties for the purpose of levying property tax, water tax, and electricity charges. The Court stated that hostel premises are meant purely for…
Judgment
No Distinction Can Be Made Between Unmarried and Divorced Daughters in Grant of Freedom Fighters’ Pension: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has reaffirmed that a divorced daughter who is living in impoverished circumstances is also a dependent eligible to receive Freedom Fighters Pension. The ruling was delivered by Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, who followed the view taken by the Supreme Court in the case of Khajani Devi, holding that…
Judgment
UIDAI Directed to Correct Widow’s Aadhaar Details; Court Highlights Accessibility Issues Faced by Senior Citizens: Madras High Court
In a compassionate and practical judgment, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to correct the Aadhaar details of a 74-year-old widow, whose family pension was delayed due to errors in her Aadhaar card. The order, delivered by Justice G.R.…
Judgment
“Surprising,” Says Court on Service of Summons After 12 Years of Case Filing; Institutions Failed in Their Duties: Madras High Court
In a startling revelation, the Madras High Court expressed serious concern over a 12-year delay in serving summons in a criminal case that had been taken on file as early as 2013. Justice B. Pugalendhi, while hearing a petition filed by Ramasamy, a senior citizen, observed that both the police department and the court…
Judgment
Suo Motu Contempt Proceedings Initiated Against Chief Secretaries for Non-Compliance Since 2023: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has taken a serious view of repeated disobedience of its orders in a case relating to compassionate appointments under government service rules. The court has initiated suo motu contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Article 215 of the Constitution of India against…
Order
Can Citizens Be Blamed for Acting on Their Own When Official Machinery Fails?: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on October 9, 2026, intervened in a case involving villagers from Ammapatti and Nagappanpatti in Sivagangai district, who opposed road construction linked to a solar power project operated by a commercial entity known as Kwality Shutters. The company had installed solar…
Order
Appointment of Tamil Nadu Director of Legal Studies Stayed for Six Weeks Over Promotion Rules: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has stayed for six weeks the Tamil Nadu Government’s order temporarily promoting Dr. Gowri Ramesh as Director of Legal Studies at Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. Justice Mummineni Sudheer Kumar passed the interim order on October 1, 2026, in W.P. No. 40231 of 2026. The petition was filed…
Order
FCRA Registration Plea Rejected After Zen Trust Failed to Disclose Its Religious Nature: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed CMA(MD) No. 1057 of 2026, filed by Kanzeon Public Charitable Trust, Montessori School, Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal, against the Union of India. The Trust, founded in 2021 and registered under Sections 12AB and 80G of the Income Tax Act, had sought registration…
Order
Unsubstantiated Allegations and Childlessness Alone Cannot Establish Matrimonial Cruelty, Divorce Denied: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a husband’s appeal seeking divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The judgment was delivered on 30.09.2026 by a Bench comprising Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi. The couple married on 18.06.2007 at…
Order
Woman Owning ₹1.7 Crore Flat and Luxury Cars Awarded ₹1 Lakh Monthly Maintenance, Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a criminal revision challenging a maintenance order passed by the VI Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Chennai. The case arose from a dispute between a man and a woman who said they had married on 20.01.2020 at a temple at Uthiramerur and later lived together. The woman said…
Order
Everyday Matrimonial Disputes and Family Friction Alone Cannot Establish Cruelty or Desertion for Divorce: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed two appeals filed by a husband challenging a Family Court order that rejected his divorce petition and allowed his wife’s plea for restitution of conjugal rights. The couple married on 09.09.2015 at S.N.S. Mahal, Vadiveeswaram, Nagercoil. A female child was born…
Order
Sentence Suspended, Bail Granted in SC/ST Act Case: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has suspended the substantive sentence imposed on Anand in a case arising from Crime No.14 of 2021 and ordered his release on bail pending disposal of his appeal. Justice M. Nirmal Kumar passed the order on 28 September 2026 in CRL MP No.9091 of 2026 in CRL A No.672 of 2026. The petition was…
Order
‘If There Can Be House Wives, There Can Be House Husbands’: Marriage Dissolved by Mutual Consent: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has dissolved the marriage of Dr.K.Venkatesan and Dr.V.Aarthi, who were married on 9 February 2011 at Tiruvannamalai. The couple, both doctors, had two children. Dr.Venkatesan pursued higher medical qualifications while Dr.Aarthi stayed with her parents at Theni and cared for…
Order
Plea Seeking Election Expense Deposit and Five-Year Ban on Resigning MLAs Rejected: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a public interest petition seeking new restrictions on elected legislators who resign voluntarily and later seek to contest elections again. Advocate K.Suthan filed W.P.No.36274 of 2026 against the Union of India, the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil…
Order
High Speed Alone Does Not Establish Rash or Negligent Driving, Conviction in Fatal Bus Accident Case Set Aside: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has acquitted Udhayakumar, setting aside his conviction in a 2014 road accident case that resulted in the death of an autorickshaw driver. Justice G. Arul Murugan passed the order in CRL A No. 512 of 2022 on 16-09-2026. The case arose from an accident on 03.11.2014 at about 7.00 a.m. on the…
Order
Second Wife Cannot Be Automatically Prosecuted for Bigamy Without Knowledge of Existing Marriage: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Rajalakshmi, who was arrayed as Accused No.2 in Crime No.74 of 2026 registered by the All Women Police Station, Panruti, Cuddalore District. The FIR was registered on 08.07.2026 over an alleged occurrence dated 19.06.2026, invoking Sections 82, 85, 49, 296(b) and…
Order
Caste-Based Restrictions on Temple Entry Amount to Untouchability: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has held that no person can be prevented from entering a temple or participating in a temple festival merely because of caste. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy made the observation while hearing a petition concerning the participation of the Milagu Kattan Adidravidar Community in the chariot…
Police Acted in a Biased Manner; CBCID Probe Ordered Into Attack on Senior Advocate by Quarry Operators' Representatives: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ordered a fresh investigation by the Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) into the attack on Senior Advocate V Suresh, who is also the General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties. The Court held that the investigation conducted by the State Police was not…
About the Madras High Court
The Madras High Court is one of India's oldest High Courts, established in 1862. It has jurisdiction over the state of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Seat
Chennai
State / UT
Tamil Nadu
Region
South India
