P.Karunanidhi And Another v. Jeyaratchakar C And 4 Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 12-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL A.Nos.6433 to 6456, 6459 to 6465 to 6478 of 2025 & A Nos.19, 20, 221, 223 to 252 and 299 of 2026 in C.S.No.311 of 2025
1. P.Karunanidhi
2. M.Deva Irrakkam Applicants in A.No.6433 of 2025
1. S.Arul Mayer
2. C.Samuel Asariya Stephen Applicants in A.No.6434 of 2025
1. S.P.A.Jebadurai
2. P.Jefferson Samuelraj Applicants in A.No.6435 of 2025
1. S.Gnanasteen
2. S.Peter Thanasingh
3. P.Jeyakumar Applicants in A.No.6436 of 2025
1. P.Janiel Solomon Maniraj
2. Anthireya Anandaraj Applicants in A.No.6437 of 2025
1. S.Alexander Albert
2. S.Saint Ravi Rajan Applicants in A.No.6438 of 2025
1. P.Thanasingh
2. E.Dinesh Edison Applicants in A.No.6439 of 2025
1. S.Maniraj
2. L.Christopher Applicants in A.No.6440 of 2025
1. S.T.Chellapandian Applicants in A.No.6441 of 2025 1/13
2. S.Gnanaraj Daniel
3. A.Prabakaran
4. J.Navin Joshua
1. L.Thanasingh
2. B.Thanasekaran
3. A.Stephen Jebaraj Applicants in A.No.6442 of 2025
1. D.Dharma Nesa Selvin
2. S.Kingsly Paulraj Applicants in A.No.6443 of 2025
1. P.Kirubairaj
2. J.Abinaya Applicants in A.No.6444 of 2025
1. V.Stephen
2. Sudha Udayakumar Applicants in A.No.6445 of 2025
1. A.Johnsingh
2. D.Moses Anthony
3. I.Thanaraj Applicants in A.No.6446 of 2025
1. Y.Koilraj
2. A.Ponpandi Applicants in A.No.6447 of 2025
1. R.Lavey Ashok Sunderraj
2. Rajasingh Solomon Applicants in A.No.6448 of 2025
1. P.Franklin Asaf Jebaraj Applicants in A.No.6449 of 2025
1. D.Gnana Sundar
2. D.Inbaraj
3. M.Stephen Applicants in A.No.6450 of 2025
1. A.Archibal Johnson
2. Jebin James Kirubaz B.
Applicants in A.No.6451 of 2025
1. G.James 2/13
2. S.Jacob Raja
3. N.Raja Durai Applicants in A.No.6452 of 2025
1. A.Abel Vijay
2. K.Thangaraj Applicants in A.No.6453 of 2025
1. J.Dhinakaran
2. L.Gnanam Applicants in A.No.6454 of 2025
1. T.Augustin
2. S.K.Samuel Raj Applicants in A.No.6455 of 2025
1. D.Mohan Arumainayagam Applicant in A.No.6456 of 2025 1.S.Savan Applicant in A.No.6459 of 2025
1. S.D.Prabhakar Applicant in A.No.6460 of 2025
1. P.Daniel Jebasingh Applicant in A.No.6461 of 2025
1. Kurusmuthu Applicant in A.No.6462 of 2025
1. P.Dhas Applicant in A.No.6463 of 2025
1. V.Beulah Rathinam
2. S.Jeberson Arun
3. P.Jebamani Applicants in A.No.6464 of 2025 1.S.Pavul Sitha Selvin
2. S.Koilraj John Applicants in A.No.6465 of 2025 1.D.Ebenezer Mangalaraj Applicant in A.No.6466 of 2025
1. A.Christopher
2. F.Uthangan Franklin
3. V.Sekar Applicants in A.No.6467 of 2025 1.Rev.P.J.Groves Barnabas Applicant in A.No.6468 of 2025
1. M.Mallsornapandian
2. M.Thanga Bharath Alex 3/13
3. P.Suganthi Applicants in A.No.6469 of 2025
1. J.Rajkumar
2. J.Jackresan Applicants in A.No.6470 of 2025
1. T.Jeyakumar
2. C.Nelson Durai Raj Applicants in A.No.6471 of 2025
1. P.Alayamani
2. N.Jeyakumar Santhosh Applicants in A.No.6472 of 2025
1. G.Jeyapaul
2. D.Rajmohan Applicants in A.No.6473 of 2025
1. M.Yesuvadian
2. J.Edwin Christopher Applicants in A.No.6474 of 2025
1. A.Subash
2. D.Sathiyakumar
3. C.Justin Gnanadurai Applicants in A.No.6475 of 2025
1. S.Bercy Sundar
2. T.Robins Stephen Prakash
3. A.S.Appadurai Applicants in A.No.6476 of 2025
1. K.Aaron
2. S.Jeyasingh Applicants in A.No.6477 of 2025
1. J.Jebachandran Applicant in A.No.6478 of 2025 1.A.Ponraj Applicant in A.No.19 of 2026
1. K.R.Amalraj Kumar Applicant in A.No.20 of 2026
1. S.Elizabeth Applicant in A.No.221 of 2026
1. J.Jayajothi Koilraj Applicant in A.No.223 of 2026
1. Grace Jebaraj Applicant in A.No.224 of 2026
1. J.Blesson Applicant in A.No.225 of 2026 4/13
1. Thanam Saral Kanagamani Jeyeraj Applicant in A.No.226 of 2026
1. H.Evans Devanesam Applicant in A.No.227 of 2026
1. V.Vijin Thiruthuvaraj Applicant in A.No.228 of 2026
1. E.Chitranand Jesudas Applicant in A.No.229 of 2026
1. J.Jayakar Applicant in A.No.230 of 2026
1. A.Issac Applicant in A.No.231 of 2026
1. D.Jebathangam Applicant in A.No.232 of 2026
1. Anand Anburaj Applicant in A.No.233 of 2026 1.Sheeba Balasingh Applicant in A.No.234 of 2026
1. Annie Pushpa Applicant in A.No.235 of 2026 1.S.Ponraj Applicant in A.No.236 of 2026 1.Anburaj Solomon Applicant in A.No.237 of 2026
1. A.Dharmam Moses Applicant in A.No.238 of 2026
1. T.Suresh Arul Applicant in A.No.239 of 2026
1. J.Balasundar Manoj Kumar Applicant in A.No.240 of 2026
1. K.Dhanasingh Applicant in A.No.241 of 2026
1. D.Jeyabal Abraham Applicant in A.No.242 of 2026
1. P.Jeya Rathish Applicant in A.No.243 of 2026
1. J.Justus Rathish Applicant in A.No.244 of 2026
1. M.Jolly Applicant in A.No.245 of 2026 5/13
1. D.Samuel Applicant in A.No.246 of 2026
1. J.Moses Rajakumar Applicant in A.No.247 of 2026
1. P.Jeyachandran Applicant in A.No.248 of 2026
1. Jeyarani Applicant in A.No.249 of 2026
1. Solomon Raj Applicant in A.No.250 of 2026
1. M.Samuvel Selvin Applicant in A.No.251 of 2026
1. Barnabas Devasuthan. H Applicant in A.No.252 of 2026
1. M.Koilraj
2. D.Devaraj Chelliah Applicants in A.No.299 of 2026 Vs
1. Jeyaratchakar C Diocese Council Member Mannarayanthattu Pastorate CSI Thoothukudi - Nazareth Diocese No.15G, Toovipuram 1st Street, Thoothukudi
2. Rev.Jebakumar Jolly Jeremiah Bishop Robert Caldwelll Church Council & Pastorate Chairman, Cladwell Colony, CSI Thoothukudi - Nazareth Diocese No.34A, Mission Kovil Street, Madathuvilai, Arumagneri, Thoothukudi Dist.
3. Church of South India rep. By its General Secretary, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, 6/13
No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014
4. Moderator Commissary / Bishop In-charge, The CSI Thoothukudi - Bazareth Diocese, 100 Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus Thookudi - 628 001 Respondents A.Nos.
6433 to 6456, 6459 to 6465 to 6478 of 2025 & A. Nos.19, 20, 221, 223 to 252 and 299 of 2026
5. The Administrator, The CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese, 100 Beach Road, Caldwell School Campus, Thoothukudi - 628 001 Prayer in all the Applications except A.No.6466 of 2025 : Applications filed under Order XIV Rule 8 of Original Side Rules r/w Order 1 Rule 10(2) CPC r/w Section 152 CPC to implead as defendants in C.S.No.311 of 2025 consequently as respondents in all Applications in C.S.No.311 of 2025. Prayer A.No.6466 of 2025 :
Application filed under Order XIV Rule 8 of Original Side Rules r/w Order 1 Rule 10(2) CPC to implead as defendant in the C.S.No.311 of 2025. For Applicant(s) in A.Nos.6464 to 6478 of 2025 & A.Nos.6448 to 6455 of 2025; 6433 and 6434 of 2025 & A.No.299 of 2026:
Mr.V.Raghavachari, Senior Counsel for M/s Kingsly Solomon For Applicants in A.Nos.6459 of 2025 to 6463 of 2025 ; 19 and 20 of 2026; A.Nos.221, 223 to 252 of 2026 Mr.Vinet Subramani 7/13
For Applicants in A.Nos.6439 to 6042 of Ms.J.Johnsy Greeta For Applicants in A.Nos.6435 to 3438 of Mr.S.Thankasivan for Ms.M.Akila For Applicant in A.No.6456 of 2025 Mr.Thankasivam for Mr.Jebaselvan Newman For Applicant in A.No.6466 of 2025 Mr.D.Ebenezer Mangalaraj For Applicants in A.Nos.6443 to 6466 of Ms.N.Vijayamalathi C O M M O N O R D E R These Applications have been filed by the applicants to implead them as defendants in the Main Suit in C.S.No.311 of 2025. Since all the applicants have filed separate applications to implead them as parties in the main suits, all the applications are taken up together and a common order is passed.
2. According to the applicants, they are the members of various Church CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese of South India. The respondents 1 and 2, being the plaintiffs have filed a suit in C.S.No.311 of 2025 to declare the elections conducted by the 3rd defendant herein at various levels on various dates on 09.11.2025, 15.11.2025, 8/13
and 22.11.2025 in respect of CSI TND as null and void; permanent injunction restraining the 3rd defendant from conducting the election of CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese scheduled to be held on 13.12.2025, 30.12.2025 and 31.12.2025 and on any subsequent dates in accordance with 3rd defendant's fresh election mandate dated 31.10.2025; mandatory injunction to recover dues, to continue election process and prohibit the defaulters and permanent injunction restraining the 3rd respondent from allowing defaulters from 2018 to 2024 to participate in the election of office bearers of CSI TND; The applicants have held various posts in various church and therefore, they are also proper and necessary parties to the suits and without their presence, the suits cannot be disposed of, therefore all the applicants have to be impleaded as necessary parties to the suits.
3. The respondents filed counter denying the averments made in the affidavits and stated that the same are false. The applicants have made various averments in respect of erstwhile office bearers, therefore, they ought to have filed separate suits, but without filing separate suits, now, the applicants have filed these applications only to delay the proceedings. The elected candidates are not necessarily required to be impleaded and every elected candidates are party to the proceedings for adjudicating the issue raised and there is sufficient representation for the Church. Though the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in W.A.Nos.3069-3072 of 2025 ordered for status quo, the 5th respondent not maintained the status quo and proceeded to conduct 9/13
elections contrary to the orders of the Status quo. These applicants are neither proper nor necessary parties to the proceedings, therefore, only to delay the proceedings, these applications have been filed, therefore, the applications are liable to be dismissed.
4.Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the documents placed on record.
5. These applications have been filed by the applicants, who are members of the various church and erst while office bearers of the church - CSI ThoothukudiNazareth Diocese and the respondents / plaintiffs filed the suits challenging the election process. According to the applicants, they are also proper and necessary parties because the applicants have also held various posts on various occasions in various places, therefore, they are also proper and necessary parties to the suit. thereby the applicants are also proper and necessary parties to the suits.
6. Already this Court passed passed an order of Interim Injunction in Original Application No.1204 of 2025 in C.S.No.311 of 2025 dated 26.12.2025 and same was challenged by way of Original Side Appeals before the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in O.S.A.Nos.10 to 13, 15 and 16 of 2026 and the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court by Judgment dated 22.01.2026 observed that impleading petitions filed by 10/13
some of the applicants, which were pending on the date of pendency of the appeal have to be impleaded, therefore, considering the above said facts and taking note of the fact that the applicants are also to be heard, in order to avoid multiplicity of the proceedings and to get valid and binding decree, it is appropriate to allow these applications and by allowing these applications, no prejudice would be caused to the other side. Therefore these applications are liable to be allowed. Accordingly, the applications are allowed (i) Applicants in Application Nos.6433 to 6456 of 2025 are ordered to be impleaded as Defendants 4 to 56 in C.S.No.311 of 2025 and Respondents 4 to 56 in O.A.Nos.1204, 1205 and 1220 of 2025 and A.Nos.6396 to 6398 and 6432 of 2025 and O.A.No.118 of 2026;
(ii) Applicants in Application Nos.6459 to 6478 of 2025 are ordered to be impleaded as Defendants 57 to 93 in C.S.No.311 of 2025 and Applicants in Application Nos. 6459 to 6465 and 6467 to 6478 of 2025 are ordered to be impleaded as Respondents 57 to 92 in O.A.Nos.1204, 1205 and 1220 of 2025 and A.Nos.6396 to 6398 and 6432 of 2025 and O.A.No.118 of 2026; (iii) Applicants in Application Nos.19, 20, 221, 223 to 252 and 299 of 2026 are ordered to be impleaded as Defendants 94 to 128 in C.S.No.311 of 2025 and 11/13
Respondents 93 to 127 in O.A.Nos.1204, 1205 and 1220 of 2025 and A.Nos. 6396 to 6398 and 6432 of 2025 and O.A.No.118 of 2026; Registry is directed to carry out necessary amendment and post the matter on 18.02.2026.
12.02.2026 ssd 12/13
P. DHANABAL, J., ssd A.Nos.6433 to 6456, 6459 to 6465 to 6478 of 2025 & A Nos.19, 20, 221, 223 to 252 and 299 of 2026 in C.S.No.311 of 2025 12.02.2026 13/13