“Publicity Litigation”: Madras HC Dismisses Plea Against Distribution Of Cash & Gifts During Election, Says ECI Already Taking Steps

The Madras High Court, on Wednesday (1st April), dismissed a plea seeking to prevent illegal distribution of cash either directly or through tokens, and other inducements to voters at the time of elections. The bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan took note of the submissions made by the Election Commission of India and the State Government that necessary...

Routine Marital Bickering Is Not 'Cruelty', Stable Relationships Require Patience And Adjustment: Madras High Court Refuses Divorce

The Madras High Court recently confirmed an order of the Family Court dismissing a divorce petition filed by a husband on the grounds of cruelty by the wife. The bench of Justice Anand Venkatesh and Justice P Dhanabal held that bickering between husband and wife was common, especially in the initial days of marriage. The court added that if such bickering was projected as cruelty,...

Liquor Consumption Is Personal Choice, But Shops Causing Nuisance Must Be Checked: Madras High Court

Setting aside a recreational club's alcohol license, the Madras High Court observed that while consuming alcohol is the personal choice of a person, no nuisance should be caused to the persons living in a locality by granting license to operate liquor shop. “It is to be noted that the consumption of liquor is an individual choice of a person. However, such liquor shops causing...

Mere Use Of Words “Waqf” And “Mosque” Doesn't Establish Public Waqf Sans Declaration: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently observed that unless there was a dedication or declaration of property for public charitable purpose, mere usage of the words “Waqf” or “Mosque” in a settlement deed would not mean that a property has been declared as public waqf. Justice PB Balaji observed, “At the risk of repetition, mere use of the words ' Waqf ' and 'Mosque' will not...

Madras High Court Weekly Round-Up: March 23 to March 29, 2026

Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 126 To 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 134 NOMINAL INDEX Anant Mandgi v. Union of India and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 126 MM Ramesh v. MS Manikavasagam and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 127 M/s. Photon Factory and Another v. M/s. RS Infotainment (P) Ltd, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 128 A Kamala v. Inspector of Police and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 129 S. Selvaganesh...

Manamadurai Custodial Death: Madras HC Expresses Anguish Over Deceased Body Being Used As Means Of Protest, Cites Right To Decent Burial

The Madras High Court recently expressed anguish over the body of 26-year-old Akash, who died due to alleged custodial violence in Manamadurai, being used as a "means of protest". The bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman said that providing a decent burial is also a facet of the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The...

Madras High Court Stays Trial Against Ex-Minister K Ponmudi In Hate Speech Case, Dispenses With Appearance Before Magistrate

The Madras High Court, on Thursday (26 March), temporarily stayed all further proceedings in a case registered against former Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudi for his comments against Saivism, Vaishnavism and women. Justice AD Jagadish Chandira allowed a plea filed by the former minister seeking a stay of the proceedings till the disposal of a plea filed by him challenging the...

DMK MP Moves Madras High Court Seeking ED Action Against BJP's Nainar Nagendran In 'Cash For Vote' Case

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Rajya Sabha MP R Girirajan has moved the Madras High Court, calling for action by Enforcement Directorate against BJP's State President Nainar Nagendran in connection with a 'cash for vote' case. Action has also been sought against Kesava Vinayagam, former State General Secretary for Tamil Nadu BJP. It may be noted that on April 7, an amount of Rs....

Madras High Court Imposes ₹50K Costs On 'Unusual' Plea Seeking Daily Protest At A Busy Public Junction Till 'World War' Ends

The Madras High Court recently dismissed a man's plea seeking permission to conduct daily protests till the end of World War. Justice Victoria Gowri also imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on the man for filing frivolous petitions for his eccentric needs. The court noted that constitutional rights were meant to enlarge participation and could not be used to assert a right in total...

Plea In Madras High Court Seeks Rescheduling Of IPL Matches In Chennai Due To Assembly Polls

A man has approached the Madras High Court 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. In the alternative, the petitioner T Prabhakaran has sought court direction to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is strictly complied with during the match and no...

Former Minister Ponmudi Moves Madras High Court Against Magistrate Taking Cognisance Of Hate Speech Complaint

Former Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudi has approached the Madras High Court, challenging an order of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Georgetown, through which the Magistrate took cognisance of a complaint filed by a BJP Councillor, Uma Anandan, against a speech made by Ponmudi against Vaishnavism, Saivism, and women.It may be noted that on April 17th, 2025, the High Court had asked the...

Anna Nagar Sexual Assault Case: Madras High Court Directs POCSO Court To Hold Day-To-Day Trial, Orders Protection For Victim & Family

The Madras High Court, on Tuesday (24 March), directed the Special Court for trial of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to conduct a day-to-day trial in connection with the sexual assault of a 10-year-old in Chennai's Anna Nagar area. The bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice M Jothiraman directed the court to expedite the trial and dispose of it...