Fair Complexion, Tall Height, Speaking In Tamil & English Not Enough To Prove That Person Follows Christianity: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that fair complexion of a person, tall height, good physique, and proficiency in Tamil and English alone are not enough to prove that they practice Christianity, when no evaluation in this regard is conducted by the anthropologist. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 254] Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy thus set aside an order of the District Level Vigilance...

NDPS Act | Arrest, Remand Vitiated If Accused Not Informed Quantity Of Contraband Seized From Him: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that an arrest or seizure under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is vitiated if the accused is not informed about the quantity of contraband seized from him or the provisions under which he is charged. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 453] Justice N Ramesh thus granted bail to an accused, accused of carrying 25kg of Ganja. The court noted that...

Madras High Court Upholds Invalidation Of Man's ST Certificate, Says Retirement Can't Protect Benefits Secured On False Claim

The Madras High Court has refused to interfere with the State Level Scrutiny Committee's finding that the community certificate held by a Chennai Port Trust employee was bogus, 40 years after his appointment. Though the employee had alleged that he was not given an opportunity of hearing, Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy noted that the proceedings had started immediately after...

Letter To Chief Minister, PIL Without Proper Complaint Won't Advance Case: Madras High Court In Plea Seeking Probe Into Missing Temple Idols

The Madras High Court recently dismissed a plea seeking a CBI probe in connection with the theft of two idols in the Arulmighu Kalatheeswarar Abirami Temple. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 451] The bench of Justice CV Karthikeyan and Justice R Sakthivel noted that the petitioner should have first filed a proper complaint before the appropriate investigating agency and then approach the court if...

Father Lacking Moral Support From Son Who Acquires His Property Can't Claim Maintenance U/S 125 CrPC Unless Destitute: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that a son failing to support his father after obtaining his self-acquired property by itself was not a ground to claim maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC when the father is not living in vagrancy or destitution. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 449] “This is certainly a hard case when the son is accused of obtaining the self-acquired property of a father by...

'Low Moral Fibre': Madras High Court Denies Mother Custody Of Minor Children

The Madras High Court recently denied custody of two minor children to their mother after noting that the woman had a low moral fibre and her company will be detrimental to the well being of the children. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 450]“All these allegations point to a person who has a low moral fibre and whose company would be detrimental to the welfare and well being of two minor children who are...

Madras High Court Dismisses TVK Candidate's Plea Challenging Victory Of DMK's EV Velu, Says No Triable Issue Disclosed

The Madras High Court has dismissed an election petition filed by TVK's Arul Arumugam challenging the victory of DMK's EV Velu from the Tiruvannamalai Assembly Constituency. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 448] Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy held that no clear and triable issue was disclosed in the plea and was inclined to allow Velu's plea to reject the election petition. “Once the...

Tender Irregularities Case: Madras High Court Directs Centre To Process Sanction For Prosecuting Two IAS Officers Within 2 Months

The Madras High Court has asked the Central Government to process the files for sanction to prosecute two IAS officers in connection with the tender irregularities scam within 2 months. When Justice Anand Venkatesh was informed that the files were being processed and had been sent to the Central Vigilance Commission for perusal, the court also called for an affidavit detailing...

High Speed Alone Not Enough To Prove Rash, Negligent Driving: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that driving at high speed alone is not enough to prove that the driving was rash or negligent to prove offences under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 447] Justice G Arul Murugan observed that criminality could not be presumed and had to be proved beyond reasonable doubt....

'Mockery Of Democracy': Madras High Court Asks ECI To Consider Guidelines On MLAs Resigning Soon After Election, Contesting Bye-Election

The Madras High Court has asked the Election Commission of India to consider the peculiar circumstance of an MLA resigning from his post immediately after elections and contesting in the by-elections from another party. The bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice Krishnaswamy Govindarajan was hearing a petition seeking to create a mechanism for ensuring financial accountability...

Madras High Court Dismisses Challenge To TVK MLA Sengottaiyan's Election Over Alleged Defect In Poll Affidavit Attestation

Election can't be challenged on ground that attesting notary's license had expired without showing material effect on result, Court said.

Second Wife Unaware Of Husband's First Marriage Can't Be Prosecuted For Cruelty, Bigamy: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court recently held that a woman who was unaware of her husband's first marriage could not be prosecuted for the offence of bigamy under Section 82 of BNS. The court also noted that the second wife will not fall within the definition of “relative of husband” and cannot be prosecuted under Section 85 of BNS (corresponding to Section 498A of the IPC).[2026 LiveLaw...