The Madras High Court on Friday (5 June) directed Tamil Nadu authorities not to proceed further against any of the parties involved in a dispute linked to Rajya Sabha MP I.S. Inbadurai, while hearing a contempt petition and connected review applications. The Court said that maintaining the existing position until the next hearing would not prejudice the State's interests.
Background of the Case
The matter came up before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan following a special mention by counsel appearing for the review applicant.
The applicant informed the Court that coercive action was allegedly being initiated despite an earlier order passed on April 28, 2026. According to that order, the contempt petitioner had undertaken not to precipitate the contempt proceedings until the next date of hearing, which was fixed for June 23, 2026.
Senior counsel appearing for the contempt petitioner told the Bench that the undertaking given to the Court had been fully complied with and no steps had been taken to advance the contempt proceedings.
During the hearing, the Bench noted submissions that the then Advocate General had stated before the Court on the previous occasion that the State would also refrain from taking coercive steps until the next hearing date.
The Court recorded that the matter had subsequently been adjourned to June 23, 2026, based on the understanding reached between the parties.
Appearing for the State, Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the Court that an FIR had already been registered, though a copy was not placed before the Bench. He also stated that the State intended to withdraw one of the review applications filed by it.
According to the order, the Advocate General submitted that he was unaware of the earlier statement made by his predecessor and that, since there was no formal stay on further proceedings, the authorities had proceeded on the basis of the Court's written orders. The factual position was not disputed by the lawyers representing the parties.
The Bench observed,
“Since the hearing is already fixed on 23.6.2026, no harm would be caused to the State if further proceedings are kept in abeyance till then.”
Taking into account the earlier statement made before the Court and the fact that the next hearing date had already been fixed, the Bench directed the State authorities not to undertake any further proceedings against any of the parties involved until June 23, 2026.
The Court ordered that all connected matters be listed on June 23, 2026, for further hearing.
Case Details:
Case Title: I.S. Inbadurai v. A.T. Durai Kumar, IPS & Connected Matters
Case Number: Cont.P. No. 872 of 2026 and Rev.Aplwp. Crl. Nos. 2 & 3 of 2026
Judge: Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan
Decision Date: June 5, 2026
