Madras High Court Slams Police Inaction: Abuse of Former Judge “Not Just Law and Order”
Court says attack on court-appointed administrator is an attack on judiciary
Show-cause notices issued to top police officials over failure to act
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: January 26, 2026:
In a powerful rebuke, the Madras High Court has slammed the Tamil Nadu police for failing to act on a complaint involving the abuse and intimidation of a former High Court judge who was serving as a court-appointed administrator of the historic Pachaiyappa’s Trust. The Court declared that the incident was “not a mere law-and-order issue” but a direct attack on the judiciary, since the administrator was acting under judicial orders.
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The ruling, delivered by a division bench of Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K. Kumaresh Babu, has sent shockwaves through the legal community. The Court issued show-cause notices to the Director General of Police (DGP), the Chennai Commissioner of Police, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kilpauk, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to act.
Case Background
The controversy arose from a long-standing dispute over the administration of Pachaiyappa’s Trust, which manages several educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. To ensure transparency, the High Court had appointed a retired judge as administrator.
On December 23, 2025, while the administrator was performing his duties at one of the Trust’s colleges, unruly elements allegedly entered the premises, hurled abuses, and intimidated him. Despite a formal complaint being lodged, the police failed to take concrete steps to investigate or protect the administrator.
Court’s Observations
The High Court made several sharp observations:
- Attack on Judiciary: The bench said that abusing a court-appointed administrator amounts to attacking the judiciary itself.
- Police Inaction: The Court expressed shock that even after the matter was brought to the attention of the jurisdictional police, no action was taken.
- Not Just Law and Order: The judges stressed that this was not a routine law-and-order issue but a matter of judicial authority and dignity.
- Contempt Warning: Notices were issued to senior police officers, warning that contempt proceedings could follow if they failed to explain their inaction.
Why This Judgment Matters
This ruling is significant for several reasons:
- Judicial Protection: It reinforces the principle that court-appointed officials must be safeguarded by law enforcement.
- Police Accountability: The judgment highlights the need for police to act promptly when judicial authority is challenged.
- Public Confidence: By taking a strong stand, the Court reassures citizens that the judiciary will not tolerate intimidation.
- Precedent Value: The case sets an important precedent for protecting administrators of trusts and institutions appointed by courts.
Wider Implications
Legal experts believe this judgment will have ripple effects across India. Many trusts and institutions are overseen by court-appointed administrators, and this ruling makes clear that any attack on them is an attack on the judiciary itself.
It also raises questions about police accountability and the need for reforms in handling complaints involving judicial officers. The Court’s strong words may push state governments to ensure stricter compliance with judicial directions.
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Conclusion
The Madras High Court’s ruling in the Pachaiyappa’s Trust case is a landmark in judicial protection and police accountability. By declaring that abuse of a former judge acting as administrator is not a mere law-and-order issue, the Court has sent a strong message: the dignity of the judiciary must be upheld at all costs.
This judgment is likely to influence future cases where judicial authority is challenged, ensuring that law enforcement agencies act swiftly and decisively.
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