The Madras High Court has reprimanded the Government Officials while considering the contempt proceedings alleging non-compliance of the earlier orders related to the Karthigai Thiruparankundram Deepam issue. The High Court further stated that law and order cannot be a ground for flouting a court's order.

The High Court was considering a Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to punish the Contemnors/Respondents for the willful disobedience of the order passed by the Court on December 1, 2025.

On December 1, 2025, the High Court had directed the Temple Management to light the Karthigai Deepam at Dheepathoon (Ancient Stone Lamp Pillar), situated on the Thirupparankundram Hill Top. On December 9, 2025, the High Court had ordered the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Chennai, to appear before it through video conference for violation of its order pertaining to lighting of a lamp at the hill.

The Single Bench of Justice G.R.Swaminathan stated, “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 have high regard for the judiciary, they have to take into account law and order issues while implementing court's orders. This is unacceptable. When a court has issued an order, unless it has been 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 break down of law and order. That would lead to paralysis of the constitutional machinery.”

Senior Counsel G.Karthikeyan represented the Petitioners while Addl. Advocate General J.Ravindran represented the Respondent.

The Chief Secretary was called upon to clarify whether the District Collectors of Madurai and Dindigul passed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023, entirely on their own or on instructions. The attention of the Chief Secretary was drawn to yet another case where, citing law and order issues, the revenue authorities failed to proceed against an illegal church construction in Alamarathupatti Village, Aathoor Taluk, Dindigul District.

Considering that the construction of the church was illegal, the Bench noted that the authorities, on their own, should have taken action, but they failed to do the same. The Bench stated, “The place is being used for congregation 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. One has to draw an adverse conclusion as to why the authorities are hesitant. Law and order appears to be a convenient fig leaf.”

Holding that law and order cannot be a ground for flouting a court's order and the same would be inexcusable, the Bench stated, “I expect the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to take a responsible stand even while answering the question posed at the outset.”

The case has now been adjourned to January 9, 2026.

Cause Title: Rama Ravikumar v. .K.J.Praveenkumar IAS (Case No.: Cont P(MD) NO. 3594 of 2025)

Appearance

Petitioners: Senior Counsel G.Karthikeyan, Senior Counsel KPS.Palanivelrajan for RM.Arun Swaminathan

Respondents: Addl. Advocate General J.Ravindran, Addl. Government Pleader S.S.Madhavan, Senior Counsel Vikas Singh, Addl. Advocate General Veera Kathiravan, Addl. Public Prosecutor Pleader S.Ravi, Senior Counsel Jothi for V.Chandrasekar

Click here to read/download Order


Madras High CourtJustice G.R. Swaminathan

Tulip Kanth

Assistant Editor

Tulip Kanth is an Assistant Editor at Verdictum having over 5 years of experience in the field of legal journalism and editing. She extensively covers judgments of the Supreme Court, High Courts as well as Tribunals. She has previously worked with a legal publishing website where she oversaw the work of other editors and has also created updates on notifications of different Government Ministries. She holds an English Honours Degree from SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi University and has completed her LLB course with specialisation in Corporate Law from Amity University.