P. Franklin Asaf Jebaraj v. Jeyaratchakar C
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 09.01.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR . JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. SAKTHIVEL CMP Nos. 225, 231, 237, 244, 310 and 701 of 2026 in O.S.A (SR) nos.575, 577, 576, 574, 102 and 4835 of 2026 P. Franklin Asaf Jebaraj ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.225/2026 J.Jebachandran ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.231/2026 M.Koilraj ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.237/2026 D.Mohanraj Arumainayagam ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.244/2026 J.Jayakar ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.310/2026 Barnabas Devasuthan H ... Petitioner in C.M.P.No.701/2026 Vs
1. Jeyaratchakar C S/o.Chelladurai S, Diocese Council Member, Mannarayanthattu Pastorate, CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese, NO.15G, Toovipuram 1st Street, Thoothukudi 628 003.
2.Jebakumar Jolly Jeremiah S/o.Jeremiah, Council Chairman, 1/6
Bishop Robert Caldwell Church Council and Pastorate Chairman, Caldwell Colony, CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese, No.34A, Mission Kovil Street, Madathuvilai Arumagneri, Thoothukudi District 628 202.
3.Church Of South India Represented by its General Secretary, CSI Synod Secretariat CSI Centre No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 4.Moderator Commissary/Bishop Incharge The CSI Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese, 100, Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus, Thoothukudi 628 001.
5.The Administrator The CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese, 100, Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus, Thoothukudi 628 001.
Respondent(s) Common Prayer: Petitions field under Order 14 Rule 8 of Original Side Rules read with Section 151 of CPC to grant leave to the petitioner to institute Original Side Appeals. For Petitioners :
Mr.Sricharan Rangarajan Senior counsel for Mr.J.Kingsly Solomon in C.M.P.No.225 of 2026 Mr.V.Raghavachari Senior counsel for Mr.J.Kingsly Solomon
in C.M.P.No.231 of 2026 Mr.J.Kingsly Solomon for Ms.J.Johnsy Greeta in C.M.P.No.237 of 2026 Mr.K.Thankasivan for Ms.Akila in C.M.P.No.244 of 2026 Mr.Vineet Subramani in C.M.P.Nos.310 and 701 of 2026 For Respondents :
Mr.A.M.Packianathan Easter for M/s.Easter Legal for R1 & R2 COMMON ORDER The petitioners are third party to the order dated 26.12.2025 made in Original Application No.1204 of 2025 in C.S.No.311 of 2025. 2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners.
3. Mr.A.M.Packianathan Easter, learned counsel of M/s.Easter Legal accepts notice for Respondents 1 and 2.
4. According to the petitioners, interim orders have been obtained in the Vacation Court in their absence, the petitioners have already been elected and election process is in the last phase.
5. We have perused the entire materials available on record. 3/6
6. The administration of the Church of South India (CSI) is being maintained by the Administrator appointed by this Court. It is submitted that Administrator has commenced the election process and 95% of the election process has already been completed and at that stage, the respondents have obtained the interim orders stating that the interim Administrator appointed in the suit and the said suit was dismissed as withdrawn and therefore, the Administrator cannot continue thereafter. It is relevant to note that there were challenges to those orders. Ultimately, the elected members also filed Special Leave Petition before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in S.L.P (C) (D) No.53533 and 53759 of 2025.
While dismissing the SLP, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has granted liberty to the petitioner to seek necessary relief for continuation of the administrator and permitted continuation of the Administrator by enabling the interested third parties to take necessary proceedings. Pursuant to the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, writ petitions have been filed for the said relief before the Madurai Bench in W.P.Nos.28202, 29598 and 29868 of 2025 and this Court vide order dated 27.10.2025 continued the mandate of the Administrator. It is submitted that the respondents have also been elected in the election conducted by the Administrator. At this stage, now the interim orders have been obtained before the Vacation Bench.
Considering the submissions made, we are of the view that the rights of the petitioners' are being affected and hence, leave is granted to the petitioners to file the appeal.
[N.S.K.,J.] [R.S.V.,J.] 09.01.2026 gpa Note: Registry is directed to number the appeal, if it is otherwise in order and post the appeals on 22.01.2026.
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N.SATHISH KUMAR., J.
and R.SAKTHIVEL., J.
CMP Nos. 225, 231, 237, 244, 310 and 701 of 2026 in O.S.A (SR) nos.575, 577, 576, 574, 102 and 4835 of 2026 09.01.2026