ADVOCATE R. KARUNANIDHI, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court

Gist: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court held that the power under Section 391 Cr.P.C. to receive additional evidence at the appellate stage is intended to prevent failure of justice and must be exercised whenever such evidence is necessary for a just decision of the case. Observing that departmental records may possess evidentiary value in determining the role and culpability of the accused, the Court set aside the order of the appellate Court rejecting the petition under Section 391 Cr.P.C. and directed the appellate Court to receive the additional evidence and dispose of the appeal in accordance with law.

Journey for Justice: A Collective Effort that Reclaimed School Land A legal battle does not end within the pages of books. It reaches completion only when it steps into the field and resonates as the voice of an ordinary citizen. In my legal career, this Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which I pursued on behalf of Mr. Balasubramaniam, gave me immense satisfaction both as a lawyer and as a human being. Challenges Faced: The land belonging to a government school had been encroached upon, and houses had been constructed around it. In such a situation, Mr. Balasubramaniam remained firmly determined to reclaim the land. His strong commitment to public interest became a great source of inspiration for me as well. I appeared on his behalf and conducted the case. Strength of the Legal Battle: While arguing the case before the High Court, gathering proper documents and legally establishing the boundaries of the school property posed significant challenges. However, we firmly placed befor...

நீதிக்கான பயணம்: பள்ளி நிலத்தை மீட்டெடுத்த ஒரு கூட்டு முயற்சி! சட்டப் போராட்டம் என்பது எப்போதும் புத்தகங்களில் மட்டும் முடிந்துவிடுவதில்லை. அது களத்தில் இறங்கி, ஒரு சாமானிய மனிதரின் குரலாக ஒலிக்கும்போதுதான் முழுமை பெறுகிறது. எனது சட்ட வாழ்க்கையில், திரு. பாலசுப்ரமணியம் அவர்களுக்காக நான் முன்னெடுத்த இந்த பொதுநல வழக்கு (PIL), எனக்கு ஒரு வழக்கறிஞராகவும், மனிதனாகவும் மிகப்பெரிய ஆத்ம திருப்தியைத் தந்தது. எதிர்கொண்ட சவால்கள்: அரசுப் பள்ளியின் நிலம் ஆக்கிரமிக்கப்பட்டு, அதைச் சுற்றி வீடுகள் கட்டப்பட்டிருந்த சூழலில், அந்த நிலத்தை மீட்டெடுக்க வேண்டும் என்பதில் திரு. பாலசுப்ரமணியம் அவர்கள் மிகவும் உறுதியாக இருந்தார். ஒரு பொதுநலனை முன்வைத்து அவர் காட்டிய அந்த உறுதி, எனக்கும் மிகப்பெரிய உத்வேகத்தைக் கொடுத்தது. அவருக்காக நான் ஆஜராகி, அந்த வழக்கை நடத்தினேன். சட்டப் போராட்டத்தின் பலம்: உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் இந்த வழக்கை வாதாடியபோது, ஆவணங்களைச் சரியாகத் திரட்டுவதும், பள்ளியின் எல்லைகளைச் சட்டப்பூர்வமாக நிரூபிப்பதும் மிகப்பெரிய சவாலாக இருந்தது. ஆனால், 'கல்விக்கூடம் என்பது அடுத்த தலைமுறையின் சொத...

Section 35 BNSS Does Not Empower Police To Summon Or Question A Person Without Registering Case: Madras HC Quashes Notice Issued To Journalist The petitioner approached the Madras High Court seeking quashing of the impugned notice issued by the Deputy Superintendent of Police under Section 35(3) of BNS, 2023. ByTulip Kanth|12 Jan 2026 6:30 PM Section 35 BNSS Does Not Empower Police To Summon Or Question A Person Without Registering Case: Madras HC Quashes Notice Issued To Journalist Justice Sunder Mohan, Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) While quashing a notice of the police summoning a man for his alleged defamatory statements made in a journal, the Madras High Court has held that section 35(1)(b) of the BNSS only specifies the circumstances under which a Police Officer may arrest a person without a warrant and does not empower the Officials to summon or question the person in the absence of any case registered against him. The petitioner approached the High Court seeking quashing of ...

Advocate R. Karunanidhi has Appeared for the Petitioner in this case. Acquittal Entitles Employee to Full Pay for Suspension Period: Madras HC Directs TANGEDCO to Treat Suspension as Duty Read more: https://lawtrend.in/acquittal-entitles-employee-to-full-pay-for-suspension-period-madras-hc-directs-tangedco-to-treat-suspension-as-duty/ Importance of the Judgment: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court held that mere issuance or pendency of incidental or minor charges during the period of suspension cannot defeat an employee’s right to full service and monetary benefits, when the criminal case forming the basis of suspension ends in acquittal and no punishment ultimately survives. The Court further held that an employee acquitted in a criminal case is entitled to have the entire period of suspension treated as duty with full pay and allowances. Revocation of suspension followed by permission to retire amounts to deemed reinstatement, and the principle of “no work, no pay” ha...

The Madras High Court was considering a Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a direction to the respondent Police Officials to initiate appropriate action in an alleged case of police brutality. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2627303101087907782/5165373426298054538 https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/high-courts/madras-high-court/thavakannan-v-the-director-general-of-police-allegation-disciplinary-proceedings-fir-custodial-assault-1602585 The Madras High Court has ordered the registration of an FIR against 2 police officers in an alleged case of custodial assault and police brutality. The High Court held that the allegations in the charge in disciplinary proceedings constituted cognizable offences. The High Court was considering a Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a direction to the respondent Police Officials to initiate appropriate legal and criminal action based on the petitioner’s representation regarding the brutal...

Case Background C. Markandan was appointed as Village Thalaiyari in 1983 and promoted as Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in 2016. Due to an erroneous entry Despite this, the Tahsildar, by order dated 09.02.2023, denied him salary and retirement benefits for the period between 01.02.2018 and 18.03.2019 on the ground of Read more: https://lawtrend.in/employee-not-at-fault-cannot-be-denied-salary-under-no-work-no-pay-rule-madras-high-court/ Read more: https://lawtrend.in/employee-not-at-fault-cannot-be-denied-salary-under-no-work-no-pay-rule-madras-high-court/ n W.P.(MD) No.17863 of 2023, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ruled that the principle of ‘no work no pay’ cannot be applied Read more: https://lawtrend.in/employee-not-at-fault-cannot-be-denied-salary-under-no-work-no-pay-rule-madras-high-court/

The Madras High Court, in a recent case hearing, held that it is unlawful to apply the ‘No Work, No Pay’ principle when an employee is not at fault but is prevented from performing office duties. The Madurai bench of the high court ordered the respondents to pay the petitioner (C. Makarand) full retirement benefits and quashed the order passed by the Tahsildar earlier. Brief Background C. Makarand started his service as a Village Thalaiyari of Muthu Nagaiahapuram on March 20, 1983. At the time of joining, he submitted his document, including the date of birth proof. However, in 2015, he realised that his date of birth. It is because his date of birth in the records was January 28, 1958, instead of his actual DoB, which is March 23, 1961. When he applied for correction in the details to authorities, his request was rejected. The reason was that correction is allowed only within five years of joining, and that period has passed. However, in 2015, he received a favourable order from a ...

COMPENSATION UNDER VICARIOUS LIABLITY - SINCE THE JUVENILE BOY DIED FOLLOWING PHYSICAL TORTURE AT ILLEGAL POLICE CUSTODY: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the State to pay a compensation of ₹ 25 lakh to the family members of a 17-year-old boy who died following custodial torture at the hands of S.S. Colony police in Madurai in 2019. Justice P. Dhanabal directed the State to pay the compensation in two months. (M Jeya v The Principal Secretary and Others (2023 Live Law (Mad) 256) The Madras High Court increased the compensation amount in a police custodial death case to 25 lakhs from 5 lakhs after a writ petition was filed by the mother of the deceased seeking just and reasonable compensation of Rs. 50,00,000 (Fifty lakhs) and a government job for her family. The petitioner alleged that her son died due to police custodial torture. A Bench of Justice P. Dhanabal followed a method followed by Motor Accident Claims Tribunal cases to calculate the compensation a...

VISUALLY CHALLENGED PERSON – DIRECTION ISSUED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AS PER THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ACT,2016. High Court has granted relief to a Police who was discharged from service after acquiring 100% blindness during service and being declared medically unfit for service. High Court allowed the Writ Petition and issued direction to reinstate the Petitioner into service and provide all benefits. (Ganesan Vs The Commandant, Tamil Nadu Special Police – 2025 Live Law (Mad) Page 22). Published and Reported in https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/high-courts/madras-high-court/ganesan-v-the-commandant-wpmdno26560-of-2024-reinstatement-of-visually-impaired-cop-alternative-employment-1565795. The Madras High Court recently came to the aid of a visually impaired Policeman who was working as a Nayak in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force by ordering his reinstatement after noting that he had acquired the disability while he was performing his duty. The Writ Petition be...

GOVERNMENT JOB CANNOT BE DENIED BY STATE ON THE GROUND THAT THE PETITIONER HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE PEACEFUL PROTEST DURING COLLEGE DAYS: High Court held that right to protest is fundamental rights and issued direction to the Police Department to grant employment. ( Arunkanth v State of Tamil Nadu (2023 Live Law (Mad) 224)

நியூயார்க்கின் மிட் டவுன் சமூக நீதி மைய நீதிமன்றத்தில் எனது அனுபவம்: My Experience at the Midtown Community Justice Center Court Hall, New York: -- R. Karunanidhi, Advocate, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court சமுதாயத்தில் குற்றம் செய்த நபர்களுக்கு வழக்கமாக நீதிமன்றத்தின் மூலம் தண்டனை வழங்காமல், சாதரண குற்றச்செயல்களில் ஈடுபடும் நபர்களுக்கு அவர்களை திருத்தும் வகையில் சமுதாயத்தில் மற்றவர்களுடன் சேர்ந்து மீண்டும் நல்ல முறையில் வாழ்வதற்கு ஒரு புதுவித அனுகுமுறையை அமெரிக்காவில் உள்ள நியூயார்க் மாநில நீதித்துறை செய்து வருவதை கணடு வியந்தேன். 1991-ல் நீயூயார்க் நகர சிறையில் இருபதாயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்ப்பட்ட குற்றவாளிகள் இருந்தார்கள். தற்போது 6000 குற்றவாளிகள் மட்டுமே நீயூயார்க் நகர சிறையில் இருக்கிறார்கள். இந்த நீதிமன்றம் ஆரம்பிக்கபட்ட பின்பு சிறு சிறு குற்றங்களை செய்த எல்லா நபர்களையும் சிறையில் அடைக்காமல், அவர்கள் திருந்தி வாழ்வதற்காக ஒரு வழிமுறையை இந்த நீதிமன்றம் உருவாக்கி உள்ளது. இதனால் அவர்கள் ஒரு Habitual Offender ஆக மாற வாய்ப்பு இல்லை. நான் கடந்த இரண்டு வாரங்களுக்கு முன்...

Building bridges, not bars: The need for Community Justice Centers in India --R Karunanidhi is an Advocate practicing before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. https://www.barandbench.com/columns/the-need-of-community-justice-centers-in-india It is necessary for state governments as well as courts of law to reform and rehabilitate first-time offenders. Published on: 13 Dec 2024, 7:59 pm A recent observation by the Madras High Court has brought to light the urgent need for reformative measures in handling juvenile cases in India. While granting bail to a 19-year-old youth, the Court lamented the lack of sensitivity shown in handling juveniles and stressed the importance of introducing a reformation project across the State to prevent them from becoming notorious criminals. This issue brings into focus the potential of Community Justice Centers as transformative institutions in India’s judicial system. My recent visit to the Midtown Community Justice Center...

Building bridges, not bars: The need for Community Justice Centers in India - R. Karunanidhi, Advocate https://www.barandbench.com/columns/the-need-of-community-justice-centers-in-india A recent observation by the Hon’ble Madurai Bench has brought to light in the urgent need of reformative measures in handling juvenile cases in India. While granting bail to a 19-years old youth, the Court lamented lack of sensitivity shown in handling juveniles and stressed the importance of introducing a reformation project for juveniles across the State to prevent them from becoming notorious criminals and to enable them to enter mainstream society (Jana Vs State). This issue brings into focus the potential of Community Justice Centers as transformative institutions in India’s judicial system. My recent visit to the Midto...

Madras High Court Directs Authorities To Exempt Vehicle Tax, GST For Car Purchased By Visually Challenged Person https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/madras-high-court/madras-high-court-exempt-vehicle-tax-gst-for-car-visually-challenged-person-231967 Bringing relief to a visually impaired woman, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the authorities to grant exemption from motor vehicle tax and GST for the car to be purchased for her use. In a significant decision, the Madras High Court, represented by Justice P.T. Asha, has granted tax exemption to a visually challenged individual seeking to purchase a car for personal use. The petitioner, Carunia Seelavathi, who holds a disability identity card indicating 100% physical impairment, had approached the court to register her new car, a TATA NEXON XE (Petrol), and avail tax exemption as per G.O.Ms.No.3352 dated December 29, 1976. Justice P.T. Asha took cognizance of the petitioner’s plight, considering her visual impa...

பார்வையற்ற மாற்றுத்திறனாளி பெண்ணின் காருக்கு சாலை வரி, ஜிஎஸ்டி விலக்கு: உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவு https://www.hindutamil.in/news/tamilnadu/1036360-road-tax-gst-exemption-for-visually-impaired-woman-s-car-high-court-orders.html நூறு சதவீத பார்வையற்ற மாற்றுத்திறனாளி பெண்ணின் காருக்கு சாலை வரி, ஜிஎஸ்டி வரி விலக்கு அளிக்க உயர் நீதிமன்றம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. நெல்லையை சேர்ந்தவர் காருணியா சீலாவதி. இவர் நூறு சதவீத பார்வையற்ற மாற்றுத்திறனாளி பெண். ஆசிரியையாக பணிபுரிந்து வருகிறார். இவர் தனது சொந்த பயன்பாட்டுக்காக கார் வாங்க முடிவு செய்து, அதற்கு சாலை வரி மற்றும் ஜிஎஸ்டி வரி விலக்கு கோரி மத்திய அரசுக்கு மனு அனுப்பினார். அந்த மனு, ‘உடல் ஊனமுற்ற மாற்றுத்திறனாளிக்கு மட்டுமே வரி விலக்கு சலுகை வழங்கப்படும். நூறு சதவீத பார்வையற்றவர்களுக்கு சலுகை வழங்கப்படாது’ என்று கூறி நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது. இதை ரத்து செய்து தனக்கு சாலை வரி, ஜிஎஸ்டி வரி விலக்கு வழங்கவும், காரை பதிவு செய்யவும் உத்தரவிடக் கோரி உயர் நீதிமன்ற கிளையில் மனு தாக்கல் செய்தார். இந்த மனுவை நீதிபதி பி.டி.ஆஷா விசாரித்தார். மனுதாரர் சார்பில் வழக்க...

Allegations Of Illegal Detention By Police Officers: Madras High Court Directs To Preserve CCTV Footage The Madras High Court recently directed the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent Of Police and Inspector of Police of Sankarankovil Town Police Station, Tenkasi District and Inspector of Police, Rajapalam Police Station, Viruthunagar District to preserve the CCTV footages recorded on the 6th and 7th April in connection with an allegation of illegal detention against certain police officials. Also Read - Refusal To Take Up Responsibility For Child's Treatment Does Not Amount To Cruelty Under Section 498-A IPC: Andhra Pradesh High Court Justice V. Sivagnanam of the Madurai Bench observed as under: Considering the importance of the CCTV footage to adjudicate the issue involved in this case, the respondents 1 to 4 are directed to preserve the CCTV footages recorded on 06.04.2022 and 07.04.2022 at Venkateswara Clinic and Selvam Tea Stall, Kumaran Sweets Store, Anan...

Death Due To Custodial Torture: State Government To Pay 5 Lakhs To Family Of Minor Victim In Four Weeks In a writ petition seeking adequate compensation and a government job for the family of a 17-year-old boy who allegedly succumbed to death from custodial torture, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has taken note of the letter from the Government Secretary, approving Rs five lakhs compensation. Relying on the 2015 government order sanctioning financial assistance to the victims of custodial torture, the letter produced before the court states that the legal heir of the deceased will be eligible for Rs 5 Lakhs as compensation. The letter dated 13th December, 2021 also states that depending upon the receipt of the CB-CID final report and the result of the trial in Madurai Judicial Magistrate, payment of additional compensation for the victim will be considered. Also Read - Refusal To Take Up Responsibility For Child's Treatment Does Not Amount To Cruelty Under Section 498-A ...

Madras High Court Grants Compensation To Victim Under SC/ST Amendment Act 2016 For Offence Committed In 2014 https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/madras-high-court-compensation-to-victim-under-sc-st-amendment-act-2016-196612 Upasana Sajeev 14 Apr 2022 10:00 AM Beneficial Legislation must be interpreted in Purposive Manner: Madras High Court Allows Compensation To Victim Under SC/ST Amendment Act 2016 For Offence Committed in 2014 Beneficial legislation must be interpreted in a purposive manner, the Court said. The Madras High Court has allowed a petition filed by a victim belonging to Scheduled Caste Community claiming compensation under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Rules, 2016, for an offence committed against her in the year 2014. While passing orders Justice G. Ilangovan observed that as per the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Preven...