Madras High Court judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Government officials cannot cite law and order to flout court orders, Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) while hearing two contempt of court cases, including one related to the Thirupparankundram deepam row.
The judge was dissatisfied with the explanation given by Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, who appeared via video conferencing. “When a court issues an order, unless it is stayed or set aside by a higher forum, it has to be obeyed. Of course, there could be cases where a judicial order cannot be implemented. I can conceive of such situations. But law and order cannot be a ground for flouting a court’s order.”
“That would be inexcusable. That would amount to breakdown of law and order. That would lead to paralysis of the constitutional machinery,” the judge said.
Pursuant to the court direction, 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 the Chief Secretary was called upon to clarify as to whether the District Collectors of Madurai and Dindigul had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023, entirely on their own or on instructions.
The court said the attention of the Chief Secretary was drawn to yet another instance in Dindigul district where the construction of a church, which was being built without prior approval, continued even after the court granted an injunction against it.
“The place is being used for congregation[al] worship. That is why I directed the local authorities to take immediate action. But the authorities appear to be afraid to even touch the building,” the judge said. One has to draw an adverse conclusion as to why the authorities are hesitant. Law and order appears to be a convenient fig leaf, he added.
“I am tired. In how many cases am I to haul up the officers concerned for contempt? Even today, the Chief Secretary, who was reading out from a prepared text, stated that even though they had high regard for the judiciary, they had to take into account law and order issues while implementing the court’s orders. This is unacceptable,” Justice Swaminathan said.
The court adjourned the case to January 9, 2026. “I expect the Chief Secretary to take a responsible stand even while answering the question posed at the outset,” he said.
The contemnors, including Madurai Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar and Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan, were present. The court said the further appearance of the contemnors was not dispensed with.
The Chief Secretary told the court that the officials respected its orders and had no intention to disobey them. However, in certain situations where they had to prefer appeals in cases of conflicting orders, law and order issues and financial matters, they were unable to comply with the orders. The judge said it was their duty to follow the court orders.
Published – December 17, 2025 11:45 pm IST
