Lawyer Can't Be Prosecuted For Defamation For Statements Made On Instructions Of Client: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that a lawyer cannot be prosecuted for the offence of defamation, merely for statements made by him upon a client's instructions. Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan held that a lawyer only speaks on behalf of his client and has no opportunity to verify the truthfulness of the facts narrated by the client. The court added that any responsibility for such...

Defamation Decree Touches Upon Reputation, Legal Heirs Of Deceased Defendant Can Pursue Appeal: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently observed that a decree of defamation touches upon the character and reputation of a person against whom it is passed, and such stigma would continue even after the person's death. The court added that the legal representatives, in such a situation, would want to remove the stigma and could continue the proceedings.Justice AD Maria Clete observed as...

Katchanatham Caste Killings: Madras High Court Upholds Life Sentence Of 26 Accused, Acquits One

The Madras High Court has confirmed the conviction and sentence imposed on 26 men involved in the caste killings that happened in Katchnatham Village in Sivagangai District. The bench of Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan and Justice R Poornima acquitted one person, noting that his presence at the crime scene was highly improbable. The case relates to the violence that took place...

No Instance Of Misuse Shown: Madras High Court Rejects Plea Against Allotment Of Party Symbols To Other Parties' Candidates In Poll Alliances

The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition seeking direction to the Election Commission of India to frame appropriate guidelines and regulatory measures to prevent misuse of reserved election symbols. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed the plea filed by ML Ravi, President of Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi (DMSK) party, seeking to prevent...

Madras High Court Dismisses Plea To Extend Nomination Period For TN Assembly Elections 2026

The Madras High Court has dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Election Commision of India to extend the nomination filing period for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. It may be noted that the nomination period for the TN Assembly elections was fixed from March 30, 2026, to April 6, 2026.The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan dismissed...

'Enjoy The Match, Approach ECI In Case Of Violation': Madras High Court Refuses To Halt IPL During TN Assembly Polls

The Madras High Court, on Tuesday (7th April), dismissed as withdrawn a plea seeking to reschedule the dates for IPL matches that are proposed to be held in the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, considering the upcoming assembly elections in the State. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that one match had already taken place post the filing of the...

Madras High Court Orders Inquiry Into Woman's Claim That Her Family Is Being Ostracised On Directions Of Kangaroo Court

The Madras High Court has directed the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, Krishnagiri, to inquire into claims of a woman that her family is being ostracised by the village upon directions of the Katta Panchayat (Kangaroo court). Justice Krishnan Ramasamy directed the authorities to conduct an inquiry and ensure that no injustice is caused to the woman and her family,...

Madras High Court Issues Notice To ECI On Plea To Allow Only Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists To Contest From SC Constituencies

The Madras High Court, on Tuesday (7th April) has ordered notice to the Election Commission of India on a plea seeking directions to the Returning Officers to ensure that only those professing Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism are permitted to contest in elections from constituencies earmarked for the Scheduled Caste community. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G...

Religion Is Not A Cloak For Enrichment, Poojaris Not Entitled To Monies Deposited In Temple Donation Box As A Right: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently observed that temple poojaris are not entitled to claim a share in the collections from temple hundis (donation box) as a matter of right. Noting that religion should not be used as a cloak for enrichment, the bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan held that hundi collection was a resource for the temple and not the fiefdom of...

Karta Can't Unilaterally Gift Substantial Portion Of Joint Family Property In Favour Of One Coparcener: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has recently held that a Karta does not have the authority to unilaterally transfer a substantial portion of the joint family property to one coparcener, to the exclusion of others. Justice AD Maria Clete held that such a gift would give exclusive benefit to one coparcener and would destroy the proprietary rights of other coparceners. “A unilateral gift of...

Doctor's Accident Register Entry Not Gospel Truth, Can't Be Pitted Against Unassailable Eyewitnesses To Discredit Them: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently observed that the entries made by a doctor in an accident register cannot be taken as gospels of truth or be used to discredit the statement of unassailable witnesses. The bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh and Justice P Dhanabal thus refused to interfere with the conviction and sentence of a man for the murder of his wife. “Considering the...

Abruptly Blocking Employee's Smart Card Access To Terminate Him Violates Basic Dignity Of Labour: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently observed that a company abruptly blocking an employee's smart card access to terminate him from work violates the basic dignity of labour. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy noted that people in managerial positions should take a more empathetic approach and think from the employee's point of view. The court added that such an abrupt termination...