Madras High Court Summons TN Chief Secy, Former Chief Secy In Suo Motu Contempt Case For Non-Compliance Of Court Order

Justice Battu Devanand issued statutory notices to the two officers in a suo motu contempt case initiated by it in April 2025. The suo motu contempt case was initiated after the court noted that the State had not complied with an order passed by the court in 2023. In the 2023 order, the court had directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee to make necessary recommendations to amend the Tamil Nadu Civil Service (Appointment on Compassionate Grounds) Rules, 2023 and to take steps to obtain report from the committee within 2 months.

The court also criticised the state for delaying compliance with an earlier order. The court noted that the earlier order was not complied with in its letter and spirit and the committee was formed only upon initiation of the contempt case.

“In view of the above factual position, this Court is of the considered opinion that the order dated 19.09.2023 passed by this Court in W.P. No.2621 of 2020 and etc, batch has not been complied with in true letter and spirit. Only after registering the suo motu contempt case against the respondents, the Committee is constituted. It itself shows the attitude of the respondents in implementing the order of this Court,” the court noted.

Though the Additional Advocate General submitted that the state had taken steps to comply with the order and had passed the necessary Government GO for constituting the committee, the court was not satisfied. The court said that as advocates appearing for the Government had a duty towards the court and should always maintain the dignity of the institution.

“Don't try to play with the court. As Government Advocates, your first duty is to maintain the dignity of this institution. We're surviving because of this institution. Once this institution loses its respect, then there's no survival for any of us,” the court orally remarked.

The court thus asked the Chief Secretaries to appear in court on the next hearing date and explain the delay in complying with the order.

Case Title: High Court of Madras v. Siva Das Meena IAS and Another

Case No: Cont P 1825 of 2025