The Madras High Court took serious note of police inaction in a complaint involving the abuse of a court-appointed Administrator of Pachaiyappa’s Trust, observing that such inaction amounts to an attack on the judiciary and warning of contempt proceedings against top police officials.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has taken serious note of police inaction in a case involving alleged abuse of a court-appointed Administrator of the Pachaiyappa’s Trust. In an order, the Division Bench comprising Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice K. Kumaresh Babu issued show-cause notices to the Director General of Police (DGP), the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kilpauk, asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The matter arose during the hearing of a Review Application in O.S.A. No. 17 of 2022, connected to long-standing disputes surrounding the administration of Pachaiyappa’s Trust.
The court was considering reports submitted by the Hon’ble Administrator of Pachaiyappa’s Trust, a former judge of the Madras High Court, appointed pursuant to an order dated 19 December 2023 to address alleged mismanagement in the Trust.
According to the report dated 02 January 2026, an incident occurred on 23 December 2025, when certain unruly elements allegedly entered the premises of a college run by the Trust and misbehaved with the Administrator, using abusive and foul language. The Administrator was discharging his duties strictly in accordance with judicial directions.
A complaint regarding the incident was lodged by the Secretary of Pachaiyappa’s Trust with the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kilpauk. However, despite the passage of time, no action was taken by the jurisdictional police, a fact that was confirmed to the court across the Bar.
Taking a view, the Division Bench observed that the Administrator appointed by the High Court acts on behalf of the judiciary itself. Any obstruction, intimidation, or abuse directed at such an Administrator cannot be treated as a mere law-and-order issue.
The court categorically held that:
- The alleged conduct of the unruly elements, and
- The continued inaction of the police authorities
together constitute a direct attack on the authority and dignity of the judiciary.
In light of this, the court directed the DGP, Commissioner of Police (Chennai), and ACP (Kilpauk) to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
The officers have been directed to appear before the court on 30 January 2026, either in person or through counsel, and file a detailed report explaining their conduct.
Copies of the order and the Administrator’s report were also directed to be served on the Advocate General and the Public Prosecutor.
Apart from the issue of police inaction, the court also addressed broader administrative concerns surrounding Pachaiyappa’s Trust, which has been embroiled in litigation for several years.
The Administrator’s earlier report highlighted multiple unresolved issues, including:
- A pending suit in C.S. No. 223 of 2022 seeking modification of certain clauses of the Trust scheme;
- Pending Special Leave Petition (SLP (C) No. 23539 of 2023) before the Supreme Court of India;
- Challenges to the illegal appointment of 234 Assistant Professors between 2013 and 2016, which had earlier been set aside by the High Court;
- Pending writ appeals against directions to fill teaching posts in accordance with UGC Regulations and the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Act, 1976;
- Serious audit irregularities and alleged misappropriation of Trust and college funds spanning nearly a decade.
Crucially, the High Court clarified that the pendency of civil suits, writ appeals, and SLPs cannot stall the conduct of elections to the Trust Board, as earlier directed.
Pursuant to court-ordered public notices, the Administrator informed the bench that several representations and suggestions had been received regarding voter enrolment and the election process.
Taking note of this, the court directed the Administrator to:
- Compile and list all representations and suggestions received.
- Examine them in light of the Trust’s bye-laws; and
- Submit a further report on 03 March 2026.
The matter is posted for further consideration on 30 January 2026, when the police officials are required to respond to the show-cause notice and explain the reasons for their inaction.
Case Title:
G.Anbazhagan vs. S.Jeyachandran and Others
REV.APLC.No.116 of 2023
READ ORDER
