Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Urges PM Modi to Push for Supreme Court Bench in Chennai

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate the establishment of a Supreme Court bench in Chennai, reviving the long-standing demand for a regional bench to improve access to justice in South India.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay cited Article 130 of the Constitution, which allows the Supreme Court to hold sittings outside Delhi with the approval of the Chief Justice of India.

He pointed out that the demand dates back to 1980, with discussions on regional benches beginning as early as 1979, citing the difficulties faced by litigants from southern states in travelling to New Delhi.

The Chief Minister said a Chennai bench would benefit not only Tamil Nadu but also neighbouring southern states. He highlighted the legal expertise of the Madras High Court Bar and the court’s historical significance, dating back to 1862.

Referring to a 2016 Supreme Court order that referred the matter to a five-judge Constitution Bench, Vijay urged Modi to take up the issue with the apex court and push for a favourable decision.