News for 'first-bench'

High Court Quashes Order to Release Jana Nayagan, Stay on Film's Release

High Court Quashes Order to Release Jana Nayagan, Stay on Film's Release

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The ruling virtually makes the fate of the film, originally slated for a Pongal release earlier this month, uncertain.

Setback for Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' as HC pauses censor clearance

Setback for Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' as HC pauses censor clearance

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The ruling virtually makes the fate of the film, originally slated for a Pongal release earlier this month, uncertain.

HC cites communal disharmony concerns in Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'

HC cites communal disharmony concerns in Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The Madras High Court has raised concerns about actor Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan', citing references to foreign powers creating conflict in India and potential communal disharmony. The court has set aside an order to grant the film a censor certificate, pending further review.

HC reserves order on CBFC plea against VIjay's Jana Nayagan

HC reserves order on CBFC plea against VIjay's Jana Nayagan

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

The Madras High Court has reserved its order on an appeal filed by the CBFC, challenging a single judge's direction to grant a censor certificate to the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan'. The case involves disputes over the film's content and the process of obtaining certification.

SC to hear Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' censor issue plea on Jan 19

SC to hear Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' censor issue plea on Jan 19

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea by the producer of the Tamil film "Jana Nayagan," starring Vijay, challenging a Madras High Court order that stayed the granting of a censor certificate to the movie. The film's release has been delayed due to certification issues.

'Attack on Tamil culture': Rahul blames Modi for Vijay film delay

'Attack on Tamil culture': Rahul blames Modi for Vijay film delay

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the central government's alleged attempt to block the release of the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', calling it an attack on Tamil culture. The controversy surrounds the film's certification and release, coinciding with actor Vijay's entry into politics.

'Attack on Tamil culture': Rahul blames Modi for Vijay film delay

'Attack on Tamil culture': Rahul blames Modi for Vijay film delay

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the central government's alleged attempt to block the release of the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan', calling it an attack on Tamil culture. The controversy surrounds the film's certification and release, coinciding with actor Vijay's entry into politics.

Vijay's Jana Nayagan release delayed again, HC stays own order

Vijay's Jana Nayagan release delayed again, HC stays own order

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

The Madras high court on Friday directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to grant a censor certificate to actor-turned-politician Vijay's upcoming film Jana Nayagan, setting aside the board's directive to refer the matter to a review committee.

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Election Commission of India informed the Madras High Court that actor Vijay's TVK is not a recognised political party during a hearing regarding a PIL seeking its derecognition following a stampede at a party rally.

A Kiss In Kashmir

A Kiss In Kashmir

Rediff.com23 Feb 2024

Everything about Sharmila was a gift from the Divine: The graceful way she twirled her paintbrush, the naughtiness with which she teased his desperate attempts at cooking her favorite dishes, the gentleness when her lips touched his, the softness of her hair as it fell on his face, the flowery smell of her perfume when he nuzzled her neck, the mole near her quivering lips that he kissed every opportunity he got.

Concept of SC/ST,OBC quota not applicable to minority institutions: HC

Concept of SC/ST,OBC quota not applicable to minority institutions: HC

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

It noted that Article 15(5) of the Constitution does not empower the State to compel a minority educational institution to admit students from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Backward Classes of citizens.

Rummy, poker games of skill: HC rejects TN's online ban

Rummy, poker games of skill: HC rejects TN's online ban

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

The Madras high court on Thursday declined to declare the entire Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022, as ultra vires the Constitution and held rummy and poker as 'games of skill.'

Keeping Balaji on as minister not good governance, observes HC

Keeping Balaji on as minister not good governance, observes HC

Rediff.com6 Sep 2023

The Madras high court on Tuesday observed that the continuance of V Senthil Balaji as a minister without portfolio in the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu cabinet will serve no purpose and it does not augur well with the principles of good governance and purity in administration.

Should Governors Be Legally Given Time Limit To Act?

Should Governors Be Legally Given Time Limit To Act?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

Given the politics behind it all, one possibility is for binding the governor to act according to the decisions of the state government and clarifying his position vis a vis bills and resolutions passed by the state assembly -- or, re-enacted if returned, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Madras HC bars buying of elephants by temples, others

Madras HC bars buying of elephants by temples, others

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has directed the secretary, environment and forest department, to ensure that there are no more acquisitions of elephants by private individuals or religious institutions in Tamil Nadu.

Remove all posters put up by political parties in Chennai: HC to TN govt

Remove all posters put up by political parties in Chennai: HC to TN govt

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

The Madras high court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to remove at once, all the posters put up by political parties in furtherance of the local body elections, scheduled for February 19, throughout Chennai.

HC quashes TN order, directs govt to hand over Ayodhya Mandapam to trust

HC quashes TN order, directs govt to hand over Ayodhya Mandapam to trust

Rediff.com27 Apr 2022

The first bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday set aside an order of the Tamil Nadu HR&CE department, which appointed a 'fit' person (thakkar) to administer the Ayodhya Mandapam run by Sri Ram Samaj in West Mambalam in Chennai.

What is supreme, nation or religion, asks Madras high court in plea on dress code

What is supreme, nation or religion, asks Madras high court in plea on dress code

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

In an observation that came against the backdrop of a raging debate over the 'hijab' row in Karnataka, the first bench of Acting Chief Justice M N Bhandari and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthi bemoaned that of late, certain forces have raised controversies relating to dress code and it is spreading all over India.

No religion preaches narrow mindedness, says HC

No religion preaches narrow mindedness, says HC

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

India was a secular country and even the Constitution permits taking an oath in the name of God or the Constitution, the bench pointed out.

Need for expert advice, not ad-hocism: HC to Centre on Covid

Need for expert advice, not ad-hocism: HC to Centre on Covid

Rediff.com29 Apr 2021

The Madras high court on Thursday pulled up the Centre over its alleged lapse in taking prompt action in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, wondering what it was doing for 14 months.

HC rejects plea challenging OPS-EPS unopposed election

HC rejects plea challenging OPS-EPS unopposed election

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

The Madras High Court on Tuesday dismissed as not maintainable, a public interest litigation (PIL) petition challenging the organisational polls of the opposition AIADMK, where incumbents O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami were elected unopposed as Coordinator and Joint Coordinator, respectively, of the party.

Doubtful if right to refuse vaccine can be exercised: HC

Doubtful if right to refuse vaccine can be exercised: HC

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

"Vaccinating oneself may not only be to protect oneself but also in the larger interest of public health."

HC strikes down ban on online gaming of rummy, poker

HC strikes down ban on online gaming of rummy, poker

Rediff.com3 Aug 2021

The bench declared as unconstitutional, Part II of the TN Gaming & Police Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, which banned betting or wagering in cyberspace and also games of skill if played for a wager, bet, money or other stakes.

Madras HC gives more time to Centre to respond to PIL on new IT rules

Madras HC gives more time to Centre to respond to PIL on new IT rules

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

The Madras high court on Friday granted 10 more days to the Centre to file its counter-affidavit in response to a batch of PIL pleas challenging the new Information Technology (IT) Rules.

Drop all cases against anti-Sterlite protestors: HC

Drop all cases against anti-Sterlite protestors: HC

Rediff.com13 Sep 2021

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice T S Sivagnanam of the Madras High Court also orally observed that firing upon the innocent public was a scar on Indian democracy and it should not be forgotten.

HC asks Tamil Nadu govt if panel on NEET violates SC order

HC asks Tamil Nadu govt if panel on NEET violates SC order

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

"Have you obtained the permission of the Supreme Court (which had upheld the NEET). Would it not amount to violation of the ruling of the apex court?" were among the questions raised by the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy.

EC 'singularly' responsible for 2nd Covid wave: Madras HC

EC 'singularly' responsible for 2nd Covid wave: Madras HC

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

The Madras high court on Monday came down hard on the Election Commission and called it the "the most irresponsible institution" for the alleged spread of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.

Noted musician T M Krishna moves HC against new I-T rules

Noted musician T M Krishna moves HC against new I-T rules

Rediff.com10 Jun 2021

The noted culture and political commentator sought the court to declare the new rules ultra vires of the Constitution and the parent Information Technology Act, as these norms, among other things, imposes a 'chilling effect' on free speech and are vague and indeterminate.

HC rejects petition against TN govt's NEET panel

HC rejects petition against TN govt's NEET panel

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

The Madras high court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation challenging the Tamil Nadu government constituting a panel on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), saying it was not contrary to the orders of the Supreme Court on the matter.

Restrain media from reporting oral observations: EC to Madras HC

Restrain media from reporting oral observations: EC to Madras HC

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

The first bench refused to restrain the media, both electronic and print, from publishing the oral observations of the judges relating the role of EC in holding elections to four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry in the country during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Floods End Stalin's Honeymoon

Floods End Stalin's Honeymoon

Rediff.com10 Dec 2021

With the unanticipated floods across Tamil Nadu catching the unprepared administration unawares, Stalin finds that some of the early positives that had rubbed on his initiatives have been lost, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Ensure equitable distribution of oxygen, medicines: HC

Ensure equitable distribution of oxygen, medicines: HC

Rediff.com6 May 2021

The Madras high court on Thursday urged the State and the central governments to ensure equitable distribution of medical oxygen, COVID-19 vaccines and other life saving materials, by ramping up the production capacity.

'May rob media's independence': HC on new IT Rules

'May rob media's independence': HC on new IT Rules

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

The Madras High Court on Thursday stayed the operation of certain sub-clauses of the recently introduced Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Mani Ratnam is back!

Mani Ratnam is back!

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

Dulquer Salman and Nithya Menen feature in the legendary director's musical love story.

Pregnant woman dies after cop 'kicks' bike for not stopping during helmet check

Pregnant woman dies after cop 'kicks' bike for not stopping during helmet check

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

The National Human Rights Commission sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government.

Madras HC dismisses PIL on Jaya's health condition

Madras HC dismisses PIL on Jaya's health condition

Rediff.com6 Oct 2016

When the PIL came up, the first bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed, "This forum should not be used for political purposes and it is a publicity interest litigation." "The hospital is already issuing health bulletins. PIL is dismissed," the court said.

PIL seeking Bharat Ratna for Jaya dismissed

PIL seeking Bharat Ratna for Jaya dismissed

Rediff.com6 Jan 2017

The Madras high court on Friday dismissed a PIL seeking a direction to the Union government to confer the Bharat Ratna on late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, saying it does not want to interfere in such matters.

HC moved again over Kudankulam nuclear plant

HC moved again over Kudankulam nuclear plant

Rediff.com17 Jul 2013

A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court against commissioning of the Kudankulam Nulcear Power Plant on the ground that authorities had not complied with all the directions issued by the Supreme Court while giving the green signal to the controversial project.

HC directs holding of TN civic polls by November 17

HC directs holding of TN civic polls by November 17

Rediff.com4 Sep 2017

The polls were slated to be held in October last year but cancelled by Justice N Kirubakaran on a petition by the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham seeking among others appropriate reservation as per latest census and rotation of seats according to the norms.

Author Perumal at liberty to decide which petition he should pursue: HC

Author Perumal at liberty to decide which petition he should pursue: HC

Rediff.com23 Jan 2015

The Madras high court on Wednesday gave Tamil writer Perumal Murugan, who withdrew from the literary world after a row over his novel Mathorubhagan objected to by right wing groups, the liberty to decide if he would like to pursue a petition filed by a supporter or that by a writer's forum.