Authority: Madras High Court
Order Date: 08-09-2026
Case Overview
- Plaintiff: Irudayaraj Gnanasekar, Diocesan Council Member, Thoothukudi District, seeking leave to sue multiple respondents.
- Respondents: Church of South India (represented by General Secretary, CSI Synod Secretariat, Chennai) and 12 additional officials of the CSI Thoothukudi – Nazareth Diocese, including the Moderator, Moderator Commissary/Bishop‑In‑Charge, Lay Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chairman, Clerical Secretary, Auditor, and several Diocesan Council Members.
- The application was filed under Order XIV Rule 8 and Order III Rule 1 of the O.S. Rules read with clause 12 of the Letters Patent (A No. 3930 of 2026 in CS.DR.No.155117 of 2026).
- Counsel for the plaintiff: Mr. Om Prakash, Senior Counsel, for Mr. Balaji Thirumoorthy.
- Counsel for the respondents: Mr. V. Raghavachari, Senior Counsel, for Mr. J. Kingsly Solomon (representing respondents 3‑12).
- The plaintiff argued that a substantial part of the cause of action arose within the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court because defendants 1 and 2 operate in Chennai and the contested mandate dated 07.05.2026 was issued from within the court’s jurisdiction.
- The court highlighted that it is already exercising jurisdiction over related matters concerning the administration and governance of the CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese in several pending proceedings: C.S.No. 225 of 2024, O.S.A.No. 247 of 2024, O.S.A.No. 270 of 2025, C.S.No. 86 of 2022, and C.S.Nos. 311 of 2025, 4 of 2026 and 124 of 2026.
Final Outcome
- The Madras High Court, after considering the facts, the jurisdictional arguments, and the pendency of related cases, granted leave to the plaintiff to institute the suit against respondents 3‑13.
- The Registry was directed to assign a suit number (if otherwise in order) and to list the suit for hearing on 09‑09‑2026.
Topics: Judicial Jurisdiction, Church Governance