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.
441+
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
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…
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…
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…
Judgment
PIL Challenging Tamil Nadu Gold Ring Tender to Joyalukkas Dismissed: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a public interest petition challenging the award of a government contract for 4,41,667 one-gram, 22-carat gold rings under the Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam scheme. The petition was filed by Raj.G, who described himself as a goldsmith, against The Tamil Nadu Medical Service…
Judgment
Land Acquisition Relief Reversed After Finding Acquisition Completed, Inquiry Ordered Into Altered A-Registers: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has allowed the State’s appeal in W.A.No.1638 of 2026 concerning land acquired in Pattanam village, Coimbatore district for a bypass road on NH-47. The dispute concerned 4.06 acres in Survey No.183/1, originally owned by Ramasamy Konar and his brother Kalimuthu Konar, which was acquired between…
Judgment
Amendment Allowing Appointment of District Judges as TN Lokayukta Secretary Upheld: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has upheld the validity of a Tamil Nadu Government amendment that permits the appointment of serving and retired District Judges from the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Service as Secretaries of the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta. The Division Bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan…
Judgment
‘It May Not Always Be Feasible to Take Wife Along’: Man Granted Divorce After 16 Years of Separation: Madras High Court ‘
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has overturned a Family Court decision refusing divorce to a 67-year-old man and has dissolved his marriage after the couple remained separated for 16 years. A Division Bench comprising Justice G.R. Swaminathan and Justice M.D. Sumathi allowed the civil miscellaneous appeal…
Judgment
Wiping a Minor’s Tears and Holding Her Hand Without Sexual Intent Does Not Constitute Sexual Assault: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently clarified that any physical contact during normal human interactions, such as wiping tears, holding hands, or comforting someone, does not inherently constitute sexual assault. The Court emphasized that the presence of sexual intent must be established through surrounding circumstances…
Judgment
Rise in Criminal Cases Against Lawyers Raises Concern; Bar Councils Asked to Respond on Policy Measures: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has expressed serious concern over the increasing number of practicing advocates facing criminal prosecutions. The Court observed that this rising trend raises institutional questions about the impact on the legal profession and the justice system. The Court has called upon the Bar Council of…
Judgment
Husband Seeking Divorce Over Wife's Accidental Hip Injury Is 'Inhumane' and Against Constitutional Values: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently delivered a significant judgment emphasizing that seeking divorce solely on the ground of a spouse’s physical disability or injury is contrary to constitutional values of dignity, equality, and compassion. The Court held that a person who sustains accidental injuries cannot be deemed…
Judgment
Magistrate Cannot Reassess Surrogacy Eligibility Certificate; Couple's Parenthood Plea Revived: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ruled that a Judicial Magistrate cannot question or sit in appeal over eligibility certificates validly issued under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 while deciding applications relating to the parentage and custody of a child born through surrogacy. The Court held that such proceedings…
Judgment
State Must Ensure Dignified Disposal of Mortal Remains After Family Refuses to Receive Body in Manamadurai Custodial Death Case: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has directed the authorities in Madurai to take immediate steps for the dignified disposal of the mortal remains of Akash Delison, a 26-year-old man whose death allegedly occurred due to custodial violence. The Court passed the order after noting that the body had remained unclaimed for nearly 90…
Order
Women’s marital status irrelevant while giving up her child in adoption: Madras High Court
Madurai, June 13, 2024 - In a significant ruling, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has allowed the adoption of a minor child despite the absence of the biological father's consent. This landmark decision was delivered by Hon'ble Mr. Justice G.R. Swaminathan in the case concerning the adoption of a…
Order
Pay Rs.15K to 20K To Junior Advocates As Monthly Stipend: Madras High Court Directs Advocates
The Madras High Court has issued a significant order in Writ Petition No. 17976 of 2019, titled Farida Begam vs. The Puducherry Government & Others, to improve the working conditions of junior lawyers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The order mandates that senior lawyers who employ junior advocates must pay them a…
Order
Article 226, Court appoints wife as guardian of husband in coma, allows her to sell his property: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court, in a recent judgment dated 23.05.2024, has rendered a significant decision under Article 226 of the Constitution of India regarding the appointment of a guardian in cases involving individuals in a comatose state. The case, S.Sasikala vs The State of Tamil Nadu & Others, revolves around the…
Order
Court Quashes POCSO Case Against 21-Yr-Old Man Who Eloped With Teen Girl, Calls Them "Romeo-Juliet" Who Successfully Married: Madras High Court
In a heartening turn of events, the Madras High Court, under the purview of [Section 482 of Cr.P.C.], has quashed a case involving a 16-year-old girl and a 21-year-old auto driver. The case, which originated as a missing person complaint filed by the girl's mother and escalated into a kidnapping case under [Section…
Order
Employees Cannot Be Denied Pensionary Benefits Due To Administrative Delays, Not Attributable To Them: Madras High Court
In a significant legal battle concerning pension entitlements, the Madras High Court heard Writ Petition No.1006 of 2019, which addressed the plight of S. Achuthan versus the Government of Tamil Nadu and others. The case revolved around the application of pension rules and the date of service for an employee appointed…
Order
Court Refuses To Handover 3-Yr-Old Son's Custody To Biological Mother Considering Child Has Never Lived With Her: Madras High Court
In a recent judgment from the Madras High Court, a significant legal battle over guardianship and custody rights unfolded in H.C.P.No.522 of 2024. The case revolves around Article 226 of the Constitution of India and Sections 7 and 8 of the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890. The Background Story The petitioner, D.…
Order
Appointment Of Near Relative Of An Officer In A Co-Operative Society, Violates Rules: Madras High Court
In a recent development, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, under the jurisdiction of Justice R. Vijayakumar, pronounced its decision on W.P(MD).Nos.10177 of 2023. The case pertained to a writ petition filed by S. Keerthana against the Commissioner of Milk Production and Dairy Development Department, the…
Order
Compassionate Appointment Cannot Be Denied Solely Based on Illegitimacy: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court, in a significant decision, has reversed the denial of compassionate appointment to an illegitimate child of a deceased government employee. The case revolved around the interpretation of relevant laws concerning compassionate appointments and the rights of children born out of void marriages.…
Order
Hindu Wife Allowed Customary Rituals, Muslim Burial for Deceased Husband: Madras High Court
In a significant legal development, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court issued a detailed order on February 19, 2024, pertaining to W.P.(MD)Nos.3893 & 3899 of 2024. The case involved a dispute over the release and burial of the deceased, Balasubramanian, also known as Anwar Hussain, with conflicting claims from…
Order
Court Affirms Right of Any Person to File Maintenance Plea Under Section 125 CrPC on Behalf of a Minor: Madras High Court
In a recent order by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan dismissed a Criminal Revision Petition (Crl.R.C.(MD).No.611 of 2023) filed under Section 397 & 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.). The petition sought to set aside the order passed by the IV Additional District and…
Order
There Can Be No Limitation For Filing Application For Compounding Of Offence Contrary To Sec 279(2) Of I-T Act: Madras High Court
In a recent order dated 13.12.2023, the Honorable High Court of Judicature at Madras, headed by Justice C. Saravanan, addressed the case of M/s. Jak Communications Private Limited and Others vs. Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS) and Others under W.P.Nos. 4855 and 4857 of 2023. The central issue revolved around…
Order
Shelf-life of betel nut is limited, Madras High Court directs customs officials to expedite verification in betel nut import case
In a recent ruling on January 2, 2024, the Madras High Court, led by the Honourable Mr. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, addressed a crucial matter concerning the import of areca nuts, brought forth by M/s. Radha Industries. The case, categorized as W.P.No.30338 of 2023, delves into the Customs Act, 1962,…
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
