Advocate S Vanchinathan had allegedly accused the judge of impropriety, which led to the contempt of court case.
Published Jul 28, 2025 | 3:20 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 28, 2025 | 3:20 PM
Lawyers across Tamil Nadu organised protest against Madras High Court Madurai bench Judge GR Swaminathan’s contempt action against lawyer S Vanchinathan.
Synopsis: The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court referred to the Chief Justice a matter in which it had summoned advocate Vanchinathan for allegedly accusing Justice GR Swaminathan of exhibiting casteist and communal bias in the discharge of his judicial duties.
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Monday, 28 July, referred to the Chief Justice a matter in which it had summoned advocate S Vanchinathan for allegedly accusing Justice GR Swaminathan of exhibiting casteist and communal bias in the discharge of his judicial duties.
The court said in its order, “It came to our knowledge that Vanchinathan has been scandalising one of us by attributing caste bias.”
Meanwhile, lawyers across Tamil Nadu organised a protest against Justice Swaminathan’s contempt action against Vanchinathan.
On Saturday, more than 10 retired judges had urged Justice Swaminathan to withdraw the contempt of court proceedings initiated against Vanchinathan.
Vanchinathan had allegedly accused the judge of impropriety, which led to the contempt of court case.
The court referred to a video and asked the lawyer whether he was denying the allegation or if the matter should proceed further. The case is before a bench of Justices GR Swaminathan and K Rajasekar.
Justice Swaminathan said, “You have assumed two things that have no basis. This has nothing to do with the complaint you sent to the CJI. Point two, we have not initiated any contempt action till Friday (25 July). We only want to clarify your stance if you continue to allege caste and communal bias.”
“For four years, you have been slandering me; I have not taken any action against you.” Vanchinathan, I, 100 percent respect your right to brutally criticise my judgments. But when you are alleging caste bias, things took a different turn,” he added.
The judge also noted that in an interview, the lawyer had said that a senior lawyer who is Brahmin had targeted another senior lawyer because he was from a Dalit community.
Justice Swaminathan added, “We are also conscious of the rule procedure. We are not fools. We will place the case (before CJ/appropriate bench). The whole ecosystem has ganged up, we are aware. We will not be intimidated or cowed down; judicial independence is supreme.”
During the hearing, Vanchinathan told the court, “I will give it all in writing.” To this, Justice Swaminathan responded, “Please say it orally.”
When the lawyer insisted, “I will respond in writing, milords,” the judge remarked, “I regretted calling you a coward. Now I do not regret at all.”
“Please pass an order asking me how to respond. I will do so,” Vanchinathan said. Responding to that, Justice Swaminathan said, “I don’t know who called you all revolutionary. You are all comedy pieces.”
In its order, the court recorded: “Notice was issued to him, and he appeared in person. He appeared in person on 25 July and demanded that he be issued a notice in writing.”
The order further stated: “Today, the lawyer appeared in person and gave a written reply. He has proceeded on the premise that the present proceedings are linked to the complaint submitted to the Chief Justice of India and other judges of the Supreme Court. We fail to understand on what basis such allegations are made against this court.”
“We clarify once again that the proceedings against him have nothing to do with this complaint. Since it is a fact that on social media, several interviews by Vanchinathan are making the rounds, calling one of us casteist, we wanted to abide by the principles of natural justice. However, Vanchinathan is not making an affirmative answer.”
“While this matter is pending, it is most unfortunate that some retired judges are rendering opinions. We direct that the matter be placed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice for further orders,” the court added.
On 14 June, Vanchinathan had sent a detailed complaint through the People’s Rights Protection Centre to the Chief Justice of India and other senior judges of the Supreme Court, alleging misconduct by Justice Swaminathan.
Although this letter was intended to remain confidential, Vanchinathan said it was leaked to a WhatsApp group of Madurai High Court lawyers, allegedly by an AIADMK-affiliated lawyer. The group is reportedly administered by a lawyer said to be linked to the BJP. The leak occurred a day before the case trial, Vanchinathan said.
The letter to the Chief Justice, which has now been widely circulated among lawyers in Madurai, reportedly contained 14 specific allegations against Justice Swaminathan.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
