Mon Nov 17 17:15:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:

Summary:

Former Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju has called for an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges at the Madras High Court, arguing it should be raised to at least 100, with at least 40 judges specifically for the Madurai Bench. Katju argues the Madurai Bench serves a large population across 14 districts and could better serve the public by including districts currently under the Chennai Principal Seat’s jurisdiction (like Coimbatore and Salem). Furthermore, he suggests the Madurai Bench should have the same jurisdiction as the Principal Seat, handling cases like admiralty and arbitration.

News Article:

Former Justice Katju Calls for Increased Judge Strength at Madras High Court, Madurai Bench Expansion

MADURAI, November 17, 2025 – Former Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju has urged a significant increase in the sanctioned strength of judges at the Madras High Court, arguing that the current number is insufficient to meet the needs of the population it serves. In a representation made to the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, the Madras High Court Chief Justice and the Administrative Judge of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, Justice Katju called for the total number of judges to be raised to at least 100, with a minimum of 40 assigned to the Madurai Bench.

Speaking with advocates in Madurai on Monday, Justice Katju emphasized the importance of the Madurai Bench, established in 2004, which currently serves 14 districts in Tamil Nadu. He argued that expanding its jurisdiction to include districts like Coimbatore and Salem, currently under the purview of the Principal Seat in Chennai, would be in the best interest of the public.

“Many residents in districts like Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur and Namakkal are closer to Madurai, making it more accessible for them,” Katju stated. “It would be more convenient and cost-effective for these individuals to have their cases heard at the Madurai Bench.”

Furthermore, Justice Katju advocated for the Madurai Bench to be granted the same jurisdictional powers as the Principal Seat in Chennai, enabling it to handle admiralty, maritime, arbitration, and cases involving legislators. Currently, these types of cases are exclusively handled in Chennai. He said the expansion would make Madurai Bench fully functional like its counterparts in Chennai.

The Hindu has reached out to the Madras High Court for comment and will update the story as needed.

Read More