Madras High Court Acquits Death Row Prisoner Accused Of Sexually Abusing 5 Minors, Says 'Draconian' POCSO Provisions Weaponised

The Madras High Court recently set aside the death sentence imposed on a man accused of sexually abusing 5 minor children. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 434] The bench of Justice Anand Venkatesh and Justice KK Ramakrishnan observed that the prosecution case suffered from material inconsistencies, omissions and deficiencies which create a reasonable doubt. The court added that when such...

Environmental Clearance, Pollution Control Board Approval Not Mandatory For Essentiality Certificate Of Medical Institution: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that an Environmental Clearance Certificate and Approval from the Pollution Control Board are not necessary documents for obtaining an Essentiality Certificate for establishing a medical institution. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 433] It may be noted that an Essentiality Certificate is issued by the State giving its opinion on whether a medical college is...

Madras High Court Questions Confidentiality Of Look Out Circulars, Says Affected Person Should Know Why He Is Facing Adverse Proceedings

This country does not follow a kafkaite trial, Court said.

'Law Alone Not Enough, Judges Should Also Play Ball': Madras High Court Grants Mutual Consent Divorce After Family Court Declined Jurisdiction

The Madras High Court recently set aside an order of a Family Court, Thanjavur, refusing to grant mutual divorce to a couple, citing lack of territorial jurisdiction. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 432]. The bench of Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice MD Sumathi remarked that though the Special Marriage Act provides for dissolution of marriage without much adjudication when there...

Madras High Court Directs Nurses Council To Record Transgender Man As 'Male' In All Records

Right to construct one's own identity is part of right to privacy, Court held.

Can't Direct Equal Recitation Of Tamil Hymns Alongside Sanskrit At Meenakshi Temple Consecration In Absence Of Law: Madras High Court

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed pleas seeking permission to perform Velvi Kunda Nigalvugal (sacred fire ritual) and permit recitation of Tamil spiritual hymns on an “equal footing” with Sanskrit during the upcoming Kumbabishegam (consecreation ceremony) at Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 430]Justice C. Saravanan held that a writ court...

Very Difficult To Get Corruption Cases Registered Against Powerful Men In This Country: Madras High Court Remarks

The Madras High Court on Monday (September 7) remarked that it is almost impossible to get corruption cases registered against powerful men in this country. Justice Anand Venkatesh made the oral observations while hearing a contempt petition filed by NGO Arappor Ayakkam against the delay in proceedings against former Minister SP Velumani and three IAS officers in a tender...

LiveLaw Madras High Court Weekly Roundup: August 31 to September 6, 2026

Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 414 To 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 427 NOMINAL INDEX Vinoth Suriya Kumar v The State and Another, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 414 Sathiyaraj v The State of Tamil Nadu and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 415 K Backiyaraj v The Inspector Of Police, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 416 H Raja v The State, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 417 Thelagam v The Union Territory of Puducherry and...

Different Faiths Can Co-Exist, Mere Law & Order Apprehension No Ground To Stop Church Near Temple: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently refused to interfere with the construction of a Christian Church near a Hindu Temple. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 429] The bench of Justice M Dhandapani and Justice N Dilip Kumar noted that the apprehension of law and order expressed by the petitioner could not be a ground to interfere with the Collector's order allowing the construction, especially when the...

“Policy Decision”: Madras High Court Dismisses Plea Seeking To Include OBC Category In Caste Census

The Madras High Court has recently dismissed a plea seeking to include the OBC category in the caste census. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 428] The bench of Justice CV Karthikeyan and Justice R Sakthivel held that the matter was a policy decision of the government and the individual choice of the person giving data, as at times the person may not choose to state their caste. The court also...

LiveLaw Madras High Court Monthly Digest: August 2026 [Citations 362 - 416]

Citations: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 362 To 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 416 NOMINAL INDEX G. V. Markandayan v State, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 362 Udhayanidhi Stalin (MLA) v The State and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 363 Sethuraj v The Union of India, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 364 The Assistant Director v The Additional Superintendent of Police and Others, 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 365 GV Markandayan...

Disciplinary Proceedings Initiated During Service Can Continue After Retirement If Permitted By Service Rules: Madras HC

A Division Bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justice C.V. Karthikeyan and Justice R. Sakthivel held that a disciplinary proceeding initiated against an employee while in service can be continued and finalized after their retirement if the relevant service rules permit such continuation. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 427] Background Facts The appellant was working as Associate...