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
Breath Smell Not Enough for Narcotic Drug Conviction: Kerala High Court
High Court of Kerala Quashes Case Due to Lack of Forensic Evidence: A Closer Look at Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Section 27(b) Ernakulam, August 8, 2024 – In a significant legal development, the High Court of Kerala, presided over by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, has quashed criminal proceedings…
Judgment
Marriage Invalidity No Bar to Wife's Maintenance Claim: Madras High Court
Case Details: In a recent ruling by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the court addressed a Criminal Miscellaneous Petition (Crl.M.P.(MD) No. 12577 of 2023), filed by Sathyamoorthi seeking the recall of an earlier order issued on 22/11/2022 in Crl.RC(MD) No. 518 of 2021. The case was presided over by the…
Judgment
Grindr App Misused for Crime, Court Directs Centre to Consider Action, Including Blocking: Madras High Court
Bail Granted in High-Profile Case Under IPC Sections Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Grants Bail with Strict Conditions in Crime No. 164/2024 In a significant ruling delivered on August 13, 2024, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted bail to Maharaja, who had been remanded in judicial custody in…
Order
Only Gender Centric Offences Excluded From Plea Bargaining: Madras High Court Lays Down Suggestions For Trial Courts
In a recent judgment delivered on August 7, 2024, by Justice Dr. G. Jayachandran, the High Court of Madras addressed significant issues concerning plea bargaining under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), specifically focusing on the interpretation of sentence reductions and the applicability of certain…
Judgment
Fake Doctors Are Menace To Society, Practicing Allopathy After Diploma In Indian System Of Medicine Serious Issue: Madras High Court
In a recent judgment delivered by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the case of K.Amirthalal vs. The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine & Ors. was heard. The petitioner, K. Amirthalal, sought judicial intervention to overturn a decision that rejected his request for a refund of a fine imposed…
Order
Bar associations can't prevent advocates from appearing before courts: Madras High Court
Madras High Court recently issued a significant judgment concerning the Advocates Act, emphasizing the fundamental right of advocates to practice law. The ruling was delivered by a division bench comprising Justice S.M. Subramaniam and Justice C. Kumarappan on August 2, 2024. Background of the Case The petitioner, V.…
Order
Taxpayer Can't Be Mulcted With Unjust Penalty Due To Minor Discrepancy Of PIN Code In GST Registration: Madras High Court
In a significant development concerning the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has delivered a judgment regarding the imposition of penalties under the GST Act. The Court has ruled that a penalty imposed due to minor discrepancies in the address details on a tax invoice and an…
Order
No rules in love and war, Court acquits rape accused after victim and accused have second child: Madras High Court
In a recent judgment, the Madras High Court acquitted X, who was previously convicted by the District Mahila Sessions Court, Cuddalore, for charges under Section 376(2)(n) (committing rape repeatedly on the same woman), Section 450 (house-trespass to commit an offense punishable with imprisonment), and Section 506(i)…
Judgment
Court Imposes Rs 50K Cost On Litigant For "Disruptive Attitude" During PIL Hearing: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by Mr. Rajesh Kumar, citing it as frivolous and devoid of public interest. The court imposed a penalty of ₹50,000 on the petitioner, emphasizing the misuse of the PIL system for personal grievances rather than genuine public…
Order
Court quashes case against former DGP for false WhatsApp message about CM MK Stalin: Madras High Court
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has quashed an FIR registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, against the former Director General of Police, Mr. R. Natraj. The order, delivered by Justice Dr. G. Jayachandran, addressed…
Order
Formal Contract Signature Not Required To Enforce Arbitration Clause If Parties Are Ad Idem: Madras High Court
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has appointed a sole arbitrator to resolve a dispute between the petitioner, V. Sriram, and the respondent, Sanjay Agrwal, over a contract for the supply of pipes. The case underscores the enforcement of arbitration clauses and the court's role in ensuring disputes are…
Order
Interest Can't Be Demanded When Entire Stamp Duty Paid During Pendency Of Appeal: Madras High Court
MADURAI – In a significant ruling, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court addressed a review application filed by the Chief Revenue Controlling Authority, Chennai, and the Special Deputy Collector (Stamps), Thanjavur, against R. Muniyandi, regarding the market value assessment and additional stamp duty on a property.…
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…
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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…
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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
