Madras High Court Refuses Permission To Exhume COVID Victim's Body For Reburial In Family Grave

The Madras High Court has refused the exhumation of the body of a person who died due to Covid-19, noting that there was nothing to show that the deceased was not given a decent burial under Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench of Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice M Jothiraman observed that once a body is buried, it should not be disturbed as removing it might cause the "spread...

[S.18(1)(a) SC/ST Act] No Preliminary Enquiry Before Registration Of FIR If Complaint Discloses Cognizable Offence: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has highlighted that under the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, no preliminary enquiry should be conducted before registration of an FIR when the complaint discloses a cognizable offence under the Act. Justice P Velmurugan noted that the intention of the legislature while inserting Section 18A(1)(a)...

Nation Drifting Towards 'Police Raj'? Madras High Court Criticises Snail Pace Investigation In Kidnapping Case Involving MLA, ADGP

The Madras High Court has criticised the 'snail pace' investigation being carried out in a kidnapping case, allegedly involving MLA 'Poovai' Jaganmoorthy and ADGP HM Jayaram. Justice G Jayachandran remarked that it was not a regular case which could be closed on a compromise between the parties, but was a classic case of abuse of Government machinery to commit a crime. The court...

Transgender Person Moves Madras High Court Alleging Medical College Withheld Original Documents, Demanded Arbitrary Fee

The Madras High Court has issued notice on a plea filed by a transgender person, claiming that the medical college where they were pursuing their medical degree had withheld their original documents and made an arbitrary fee demand. Justice C Kumarappan has issued notices, returnable by 7th August, 2025, to the Health and Family Welfare Department, Social Welfare and Woman...

Rithanya Dowry Death Case | Madras High Court Seeks State's Response On Bail Plea By Husband And Mother-in-Law

The Madras High Court has directed the State to respond to a bail plea filed by the husband and mother-in-law of Rithanya, who committed suicide due to alleged dowry harassment. When the matter came up before Justice M Nirmal Kumar, Advocate Muthuchharan Sundaresh informed the court that Rithanya's father also intends to file an intervening petition in the case. It was submitted...

Madras High Court Summons Lawyer Who Alleged Communal And Caste Bias By Judge

The Madras High Court has summoned an advocate S Vanchinathan for alleging that communal and caste bias by Justice GR Swaminathan. The bench of Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice K Rajasekar opined that the scandalous allegations made by Vanchinathan constituted criminal contempt of court. Since a direct question to Vanchinathan, on whether he stood by his statement did not bring...

Madras High Court Appreciates TN Govt's Move To Include 'Economic Offender' Under TN Goondas Act

The Madras High Court has appreciated the Tamil Nadu government for bringing in a GO, including “economic offender” as one of the categories under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act. The court said that the policy shift would strengthen the government's power to combat economic offences. “This Court also notes with appreciation that, vide G.O.Ms.No.68, Home Department, dated...

'Public Servants Shouldn't Be Used For Party's Obligations': Plea In Madras HC Challenges Appointment Of 4 Senior IAS Officers As Govt Spokespersons

A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court against a press release issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu appointing four senior IAS officers as Government Press Spokespersons. The plea, filed by Advocate Dr M Sathya Kumar states that public servants should not be used for party's obligations. It has been submitted that by appointing the officers as government spokesperson,...

Plea In Madras High Court Questions Naming 'Ungaludan Stalin' Scheme Behind Chief Minister, Says It Violates Constitutional Neutrality

A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court questioning a new scheme introduced by the state government titled “Ungaludan Stalin”, which is an initiative to address the needs and grievances of the public. The plea, moved by Advocate Dr. M Sathya Kumar, seeks to declare such usage as unconstitutional, illegal and void and restrain the usage of the name “Ungaludan Stalin” for...

Madras High Court Grants Bail To Man Who Protested Against Hijab Judgment, Allegedly Gave Hate Speech Against Political Parties And Judiciary

The Madras High Court has granted bail to a 60-year old man who had participated in a protest objecting to the hijab judgment and had allegedly made hate speech against all political parties, and even the judiciary. Justice P Vadamalai was inclined to grant bail on noting that the FIR was registered in March 2022 and probe might have been completed by this time. The court thus opined...

Sivaganga Custodial Death: Madras High Court Orders State To Pay ₹25 Lakh More As Interim Compensation To Bereaved Family

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs. 25 Lakh as interim compensation to the family of the temple guard who was killed in Sivaganga, following custodial torture. When the bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice AD Maria Clete was informed that the state had already paid Rs. 7.5 Lakh as interim compensation to the family along with land for the...

Shortfall In Service, Excess Pension Paid Due To Factual Errors; Madras HC Upholds Recovery After Retirement

The Madras High Court bench comprising Justice A.D. Maria Clete held that excess pension paid due to a clerical or mechanical mistake in pay fixation to the factually ineligible employee can be recovered post-retirement. Further the protection against recovery laid down in Rafiq Masih case does not apply when eligibility itself is lacking. Background Facts The petitioner was...