D.Neegar Prince Giftson v. Church Of South India
CS NO. 225 of 2024
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 22-07-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.KUMARESH BABU CS No. 225 of 2024 and A.Nos.2724 to 2726 of 2025 D.Neegar Prince Giftson Lay-Secretary. The CSI Thoothukudi - Nazareth Diocese, 100, Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus, Thoothukudi - 628 001 and another Plaintiff(s) Vs Church of South India Represented by its General Secretary CSI Synod Secreetariat, CSI CEntre, No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. and 2 Others Defendant(s) For Plaintiff(s): Mr.A.M.Packianathan Easter For Defendant(s): M/s Kingsly Solomon J For D3 M/s.Adrian D.Rozario For D1 Mr. M.K Kabir Senior Counsel For D2 Administrator.
ORDER
Today when the matter is taken up hearing on the Memo filed by the third defendant enclosing a copy of the press release made by the Moderator Commissary CSI ThoothukudiNazareth Diocese. 2.It is brought on record that after the judgment made in C.S.No.225 of 2024 on 11.07.2025, the third defendant herein who was Bishop-in-Charge had been replaced by the orders of the
Moderator of the Synod. The Moderator Commissary had issued a press release on 17.07.2025, wherein he had specifically stated that the election to the CSI ThoothukudiNazareth Diocese would be conducted afresh after the consultation with the Moderator. 3.This Court by its judgment dated 11.07.2025, permitted the plaintiff therein to withdraw the suit. This Court had also permitted the learned Administrator appointed by a division Bench of this Court, to discharge his functions for conducting elections to the CSI ThoothukudiNazareth Diocese and handover the charge to the newly elected Diocese of Council who is being elected.
4.Therefore, this Court is of the view that the press release issued by the Moderator Commissary of CSI Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese is prima facie contemptuous and hence, he is called upon to explain as to why the action should not be initiated by this Court. 5.The Registry is directed to mark a copy of this order to the Moderator Commissary CSI Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese, 110 Beach Road, Caldwell Hr. Sec. School Campus, Thoothukudi - 628 001, Tamil Nadu, calling upon him to explain as to why there is an infraction of the order of this Court dated 11.07.2025 in the form of affidavit. For filing of such affidavit, list the matter on 12.08.2025.
22-07-2025 Gba
To
1. Church of South India Represented by its General Secretary CSI Synod Secreetariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014.
2. The Administrators Church of South India, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014.
3. Rev.Dr.A.R.Chelliah Bishop-in-Charge, The CSI Thoothukudi - Nazareth Diocese, 100, Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus, Thoothukudi - 628 001