Madras High Court Judge Justice GR Swaminathan. File | Photo credit: R. Ashok
Government officials cannot cite laws and orders to circumvent court orders, Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said on Wednesday (Dec 17, 2025) while hearing two contempt of court cases, including one related to the Thirupparankundram deepam row.
The judge was unsatisfied with the explanation given by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, who appeared through video conferencing. “When a court issues an order, unless it is stayed or set aside by a higher forum, it must be obeyed. Of course, there may be cases where a court order cannot be enforced. I can imagine such situations. But law and order cannot be a reason to ignore a court order.”
“That would be inexcusable. That would mean a breakdown of law and order. That would lead to paralysis of the constitutional machinery,” the judge said.
Pursuant to the court’s order, Mr. Muruganandam and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham appeared before the court through video conferencing.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the judge said that the Chief Secretary was asked to clarify whether the District Collectors of Madurai and Dindigul had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, entirely on their own or on instructions.
The court said the chief secretary’s attention was drawn to one more instance in Dindigul district, where the construction of a church, which was being built without prior approval, continued even after the court issued an injunction against it.
“The place is being used for assembly (al) worship. That is why I have ordered the local authorities to intervene immediately. But the authorities seem afraid to even touch the building,” the judge said. An adverse inference must be drawn as to why the authorities are hesitating. Law and order seems like a suitable fig leaf, he added.
“I am tired. In how many cases do I have to haul up the officers concerned for contempt? Even today the Chief Secretary, who read from a prepared text, said that while they had great respect for the judiciary, they had to consider law and order issues while executing court orders. This is unacceptable,” Justice Swaminathan said.
The court adjourned the case till January 9, 2026. “I expect the Chief Secretary to take a responsible stand even while answering the question raised at the beginning,” he said.
Contemnors including Madurai Collector KJ Praveen Kumar and Police Commissioner J Loganathan were present. The court stated that further appearances by contemporaries were not waived.
The chief secretary of the court said the officials respected his orders and had no intention of disobeying them. In certain situations where they had to prefer appeals in cases of conflicting orders, law and order matters and financial matters, they were unable to comply with the orders. The judge said it was their duty to comply with court orders.
Published – 17 Dec 2025 23:45 IST
