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
Judgment
Senior Advocate Allegedly Took Rs 50 Lakh from Client to Bribe Judge: Inquiry Ordered by Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently witnessed a rare judicial recusal when Justice Nirmal Kumar stepped aside from hearing a criminal revision petition in a high-value financial fraud case. The recusal came after the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ), Chennai alleged that a senior advocate had collected Rs.…
Judgment
Government employee's second wife from void marriage not entitled to family pension: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court delivered an important judgment on 27 January 2026 in a case concerning the eligibility of a second wife to receive family pension. The decision was pronounced by Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice C Kumarappan in the matter of Accountant General of Tamil Nadu v. M Radhakrishnan and another. The…
Order
Conviction of Pastor for Sexual Assault of Disabled Minor Upheld: Madras High Court
In a significant judgment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Madras High Court upheld the conviction of a pastor for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor girl who was 70 percent disabled and suffering from moderate intellectual disability along with speech…
Order
Interest of Child Paramount, Not of Perpetrator; Joint Trial in POCSO Case Affirmed: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by an accused convicted under the Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the Indian Penal Code, holding that there was no failure of justice merely because the trial was conducted jointly. The Division Bench comprising Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan…
Order
Court Considers Constituting SIT to Probe Fake Certificate Issued for Petrol Bunk: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court is currently examining the possibility of constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the issuance of fake No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) used for obtaining petrol bunk licenses. The matter involves allegations of forgery and improper investigation by the authorities in Chennai and…
Order
‘Vapo’ Held to Be a Generic Term; Vicks Has No Exclusive Right, Trademark Claim Rejected: Madras High Court
Title Trade Marks Act, 1999 descriptive and generic words cannot be monopolised Vapo term dispute decided by Madras High Court Introduction of the case The Madras High Court has delivered a significant ruling under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, holding that the term Vapo is descriptive, generic, and publici juris,…
Order
Maternity Benefit Cannot Be Denied for Third Pregnancy of Public Servants, Court Reiterates: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently reiterated that maternity leave benefits must be granted to government employees even for their third pregnancy. The bench of Justice R Suresh Kumar and Justice Shamim Ahmed emphasized that despite repeated directions by the court and the Supreme Court, government authorities had failed…
Order
Encroachment on Public Street Cannot Be Permitted Even If It Has Religious Character: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently ruled that encroachment, even if of a religious character, cannot be permitted on public places or lands vested with local bodies. The Court emphasized that it is the statutory duty of the Municipal Commissioner to remove such encroachments after giving due notice to the concerned…
Order
Police Inaction in Pachaiyappa’s Trust Case Criticised; Explanations Sought from Senior Officers: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has expressed strong displeasure over alleged police inaction following an incident involving the court-appointed Administrator of the historic Pachaiyappa’s Trust. The Division Bench comprising Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K. Kumaresh Babu delivered the order on…
Order
State Move to Collect Personal Data of School Students Blocked over Privacy Concerns: Madras High Court
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has quashed a directive issued by the Tamil Nadu Education Department that required government-run Model Schools to collect sensitive personal and social background data from higher secondary school students. The Court held that such data collection violates the right to…
Order
Fee Waiver Ordered, Exams and Classes Allowed for Disabled Law Student: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has granted major relief to a differently-abled law student by directing the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University to waive tuition and special fees and allow him to continue his LL.B. course without any interruption. The Court ruled that welfare benefits meant for persons with disabilities are…
Judgment
Use of ‘Nandini’ Agarbatti Trademark Restrained; Karnataka Milk Federation’s Brand Rights Upheld: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ruled in favour of M/s. Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited, holding that the use of the trademark Nandini for agarbattis and dhoops is deceptively similar to KMF’s well-known dairy brand Nandini. The Court set aside a 2010 order of the Trade Marks Registry, thereby…
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
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
