Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday sharply criticised senior Tamil Nadu government officials during contempt proceedings linked to the Deepam issue, expressing
frustration over repeated non-compliance with court orders.
“I’m tired. In how many cases am I to haul up the officers concerned for contempt?” the judge remarked, as he pulled up the administration for citing law and order concerns to justify delays in implementing judicial directions.
In his order, Justice Swaminathan said the Chief Secretary, while reading from a prepared text, had stated that although the government holds the judiciary in high regard, it must “take into account law and order issues” while executing court orders. The judge rejected this submission, calling it “unacceptable.”
He added that once a court issues an order, it must be obeyed unless stayed or overturned by a higher court. While acknowledging that rare situations may arise where an order cannot be implemented, he said law and order “cannot be a ground for flouting a court’s order,” calling such violations “inexcusable.”
Justice Swaminathan warned that disobedience of judicial orders would “amount to break down of law and order” and “would lead to paralysis of the constitutional machinery.” The observations were made during the hearing of the Karthigai Deepam lamp-lighting contempt case, where the court had summoned senior officials over lapses in implementing earlier directions.
The judge said he expected the Chief Secretary to take a “responsible stand” when responding to questions posed by the court, rather than rely on broad justifications. The hearing was adjourned to January 9, 2026, at 4 pm.
