Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM Modi to take steps to set up Supreme Court Bench in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take necessary steps to establish a Bench of the Supreme Court of India in Chennai.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Vijay said it was one of the long-pending demands of the State to establish a Bench of the Supreme Court in Chennai. It was first mooted by the State in 1980, citing several factors, including the difficulties faced by litigants from southern States in travelling to New Delhi to seek legal remedies.

Referring to Article 130 of the Constitution, he pointed out that the Supreme Court could sit in Delhi or in any other place or places as the Chief Justice of India, with the approval of the President, may decide from time to time. He also recalled that the issue was discussed at the conference of Chief Justices in 1979.

The Chief Minister said locating the Bench in Chennai, being an important city in South India, would benefit all southern States. He also highlighted the professional competence and talents of the Madras High Court Bar and the fact that the Madras High Court, established in 1862, was one of the oldest chartered High Courts in India.

Mr. Vijay said that the Full Court of the Supreme Court, on August 7, 2007, had found no justification for deviating from its earlier resolutions on the issue, despite the State’s assurance that it would provide the necessary infrastructure, including residential accommodation for Supreme Court judges befitting their status.

Mr. Vijay said when the Constitution was enacted, its framers contemplated that all citizens of the country, irrespective of their economic status, must have direct access to the Court. It was the main reason for the enactment of Article 32, a privilege not available in many other countries, he said.

However, over time, the remedy under Article 32 had become practically available only to citizens who were geographically close to the Supreme Court of India and who were financially privileged to meet the cost of litigation and travel. Citizens located mainly in south India were deprived of availing themselves of this remedy due to the sheer distance between the southern States and New Delhi, he said.

He also drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the fact that the establishment of a Supreme Court Bench was one of the questions of law raised for consideration and referred to a Constitution Bench for an authoritative pronouncement in the Supreme Court’s order dated July 13, 2016, in V. Vasanthakumar vs. H.C. Bhatia and Others case. The issue had accordingly been referred to a five-member Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India.

Mr. Vijay said he was confident that the Prime Minister would take necessary steps to take up the issue afresh with the Supreme Court to reconsider its stand and obtain a favourable decision for setting up a Bench in Chennai, appreciating the long-pending demand of Tamil Nadu and the importance of Chennai among the southern States.

He also said establishment of a Supreme Court Bench in Chennai would reflect the true federal character of the nation. He said Law Commission reports had reiterated the need for permanent regional Benches and such an establishment would not affect the independence of the judiciary, since control over it would remain with the Chief Justice of India.