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
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…
Order
Arbitrator Cannot Pierce Corporate Veil to Fasten Liability on Non-Signatory; Award Partially Set Aside: Madras High Court
A recent judgment of the Madras High Court in Arb.O.P.(Com.Div.) No.10 of 2021 delivered by Justice N. Anand Venkatesh on 26 November 2025 has clarified an important point in arbitration law concerning the limits of an arbitrator’s powers, especially relating to lifting the corporate veil, alter ego doctrine, and…
Order
Arbitral Tribunal Cannot Pierce the Corporate Veil: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has delivered an important ruling on the limits of arbitral jurisdiction, holding that an arbitral tribunal cannot lift the corporate veil or attribute the obligations of one company to another. Justice N Anand Venkatesh delivered this ruling in the case of Sugesan Transport Vs EC Bose & Company…
Order
Hashtagging a Brand Name to Identify a Company’s Director Does Not Amount to Trademark Disparagement: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ruled that using a company’s brand name as a hashtag in social media posts, when the intention is to identify an individual associated with the company, does not amount to trademark disparagement. The decision was delivered by Justice N. Senthilkumar in the matter concerning Madhampatty…
Order
Naming of Public Departments Lies Solely Within Government’s Domain; Plea to Rename Tamil Development Department Dismissed: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Muthu Subramaniam seeking to rename the Tamil Valarchi Thurai (Tamil Development Department) to Tamil Membattu Thurai. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan stated that naming or renaming a government department…
Order
New PAN Directed to Be Issued to Assessee After Department-Issued Duplicate PAN Damaged CIBIL Score: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has directed the Income Tax Department to issue a fresh PAN (Permanent Account Number) to petitioner S. Senthil, after finding that a duplicate PAN allotment had severely damaged his financial credibility. The Court held that an individual cannot be made to suffer because of an error committed by…
Order
Rahul Surana’s Challenge to ED Action Rejected; Court Says Supplementary PMLA Complaint Based on Fresh SFIO Evidence: Madras High Court
On a humid Wednesday morning in Chennai, the Madras High Court witnessed a packed courtroom as Justice S. M. Subramaniam and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq took their seats to deliver a highly anticipated ruling in the Rahul Surana v. Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement case. The hall carried the typical Chennai…
Order
Conversion May Be Inferred from Conduct; Formal Ceremony Not Mandatory; Muslim-Born Woman’s Divorce Petition under HMA Restored: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has ruled that when a marriage is solemnised in a Hindu temple according to Hindu rites and customs, a petition for mutual divorce under Section 13(B) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 is maintainable even if one of the parties was Muslim by birth. The judgment was delivered by Justice PB Balaji,…
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…
Order
“Trend of Invoking Criminal Process in Private Relationships Must Be Checked”: False Promise to Marry Case Against Man Quashed: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a man accused of rape on the allegation that he had sexual intercourse with the complainant on a false promise of marriage. The Court cautioned that the growing trend of invoking criminal law in private relationship disputes must be checked. Justice B.…
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
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
