Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Madras High Court Warns Contempt Charges
The Madras High Court in Madurai is very serious about some officials not following its orders.
The orders were about lighting a special lamp called Karthigai Deepam at a temple on a hill.
The judge, Justice GR Swaminathan, had said the lamp should be lit on a pillar near the hilltop.
But the officials didn't follow the orders, and now they might be in big trouble for not obeying the court.
The officials say they were acting on their own, but the judge doesn't believe them.
The court also asked about a flag that was put up by the dargah authorities on a tree in what the court says is temple land.
The temple officials said this was not allowed and promised to report it to the police.
The court gave the officials more time to explain themselves but made it clear that if they don't have a good reason, they will be charged with contempt.
The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench warned that contempt charges will be framed on February 2, 2026, against senior Tamil Nadu officials for failing to implement its earlier orders regarding the Karthigai Deepam.
Justice GR Swaminathan recorded that authorities had not satisfactorily explained the non-compliance with the court's December 1 order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on the hilltop pillar.
The court recalled that after its December 1 order, the Collector issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS, which was later quashed by the court, and the implementation was allegedly obstructed by the police.
The judge raised questions about how the police allowed the dargah authorities to hoist a flag on a tree located in what the Division Bench has declared as temple land during the Sandhanakoodu festival.
The temple's Executive Officer told the court that no permission was obtained by the dargah authorities and described the act as an 'unauthorised trespass,' assuring the court that a formal complaint would be lodged with the police.
- Who
- Justice GR Swaminathan and senior district and police officials, including the Madurai District Collector, City Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Assistant Commissioner, Temple Executive Officer, and DGP
- What
- Contempt proceedings over non-compliance of orders to light the Karthigai Deepam and unauthorized trespass at the Thiruparankundram hilltop shrine
- When
- February 2, 2026 (next hearing date)
- Where
- Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
- Why
- Alleged non-compliance with the court's orders to light the Karthigai Deepam and subsequent legal actions
- Court
- Madras High Court, Madurai Bench
- Justice
- GR Swaminathan
- Officials Involved
- Madurai District Collector, City Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Assistant Commissioner, Temple Executive Officer, DGP
- Issue
- Non-compliance of orders on lighting Karthigai Deepam and unauthorized trespass
- Date of Hearing
- February 2, 2026
- Temple
- Thiruparankundram hilltop shrine
- Festival
- Karthigai Deepam
- Appeal Filed
- Writ appeal by officials challenging contempt action
Sources
Madras High Court To Hear Contempt Case Over Deepam Orders Today
Show cause or face contempt, Madras High Court warns officials over Deepam row
High Court Warns Of Contempt Charges In Tamil Nadu Deepam Row
