D.Soundarapandiyan v. The Church Of South India And 2 Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 18-06-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE C.V. KARTHIKEYAN Rev. D.Soundarapandiyan S/o.Daniel, Correspondent/ Secretary, Sarah Tucker College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli District, Residing at No.14/7, 4th Street, Sasthri Nagar, Tondiarpet, Chennai 600 081.

Plaintiff(s) Vs 1.The Church of South India represented by its General Secretary, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O. box no.688, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. 2.The CSI Diocese of Tirunelveli represented by its Lay Secretary, Church of South India, P.O.Box No.116, No.5, Punithavathiyar Street, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli 627 002.

3.Rev.Dr.ARGST, Barnabas, The Bishop, Bishopstowe, CSI Diocese of Tirunelveli, No.15, North High Ground Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli 627 002.

4.The Hon'ble Mr.Justice R.Balasubramanian (Retd.) Administrator, The Church of South India, CSI, Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O.Box No.688, Royapettah, Chennai -14.

5.The Hon'ble Mr.Justice.V.Bharathidasan (Retd.) Administrator, The Church of South India, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O Box, No.688, Royapettah, Chennai 14 (DD 4 and 5 are impleaded vide order dated 24.10.2024 passed in A.No.5491 of 2024 in C.S.No.247 of 2024) Defendant(s) Plaint filed under Order IV Rule 1 of the Original Side Rules r/w Order VII Rule 1 of the CPC:

i) To appoint a Commissioner to conduct Election for the Tirunelveli Diocese for various posts (Committees);

ii) For a permanent injunction restraining the defendants, their men, agents, servants or subordinates from in way interfering with the plaintiffs acting as a Correspondent, Secretary of Sarah Tucker College, Tirunelveli till a valid election is conducted for the Tirunelveli Diocese and a suitable person is appointed for the post of Correspondent, Secretary to the Sarah Tucker College, Tirunelveli; and iii) To pay costs of the suit.

For Plaintiff(s):

Mr.Aravind Pandian, Senior Counsel for Mrs.G.Selvi George For D1:

Mr.Adrian D.Rozario For D3:

Mr.Vigneshwar Elango

ORDER

The suit had been listed under the caption "for withdrawal". 2.

Mr.Aravind Pandian, learned Senior Counsel for Mrs.Selvi George, learned counsel appearing for the plaintiff, urged that when the suit had been initially filed, the plaintiff, who was the Correspondent, had raised grievances over permission not being granted to functioning effectively as Correspondent. Pending the suit, much water had flown and the matter had gone up to the Supreme Court and I am now informed that elections for the post of Deputy Moderator, General Secretary and Treasurer of the Synod had been approved by the Apex Court. During the pendency of the suit, in an application filed, a retired District Judge had been appointed as the Correspondent. Now, the plaintiff had taken a decision to withdraw the suit in view of the further developments in the case. 3.

The learned counsel may also make an endorsement in the court bundle regarding withdrawal of suit.

In view of the submission and the endorsement made by the learned counsel for the plaintiff, the suit stands dismissed as withdrawn. No order as to costs. The Registry may examine the issue of refund of court fee and take an appropriate decision.

18-06-2025 nsd Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes

To 1.The General Secretary, Church of South India CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O. box no.688, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. 2.The Lay Secretary, CSI Diocese of Tirunelveli Church of South India, P.O.Box No.116, No.5, Punithavathiyar Street, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli 627 002.

3.Rev.Dr.ARGST, Barnabas, The Bishop, Bishopstowe, CSI Diocese of Tirunelveli, No.15, North High Ground Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli 627 002. 4.The Hon'ble Mr.Justice R.Balasubramanian (Retd.) Administrator, The Church of South India, CSI, Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O.Box No.688, Royapettah, Chennai -14.

5.The Hon'ble Mr.Justice.V.Bharathidasan (Retd.) Administrator, The Church of South India, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, P.O Box, No.688, Royapettah, Chennai 14

C.V.KARTHIKEYAN J.

nsd CS No. 247 of 2024 18.06.2025