Vijay Urges PM Modi to Push for Supreme Court Regional Bench in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take necessary steps to establish a regional Bench of the Supreme Court in Chennai, reviving the state's long-pending demand dating back to 1980.

In a communication to the Prime Minister, Vijay said the constitutional remedy available under Article 32, which guarantees citizens the right to approach the Supreme Court, was practically accessible only to those living geographically closer to Delhi and capable of bearing the expenses of litigation and travel.

He pointed out that litigants from southern states were required to travel to the national capital to seek justice from the apex court. Establishing a Bench in Chennai, an important centre in southern India, would benefit people across all Southern states, he said.

Recalling that the Supreme Court had decided against setting up regional Benches at a meeting on August 7, 2007, Vijay said the considerable distance between southern states and Delhi continued to hinder citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.

He expressed confidence that Modi would take up the matter afresh with the Supreme Court and persuade it to reconsider its earlier position in view of Tamil Nadu's longstanding demand and Chennai's importance.

The Chief Minister also cited recommendations made by Parliamentary Standing Committees in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2021, along with various Law Commission reports, which had highlighted the need for permanent regional Benches of the apex court.

Vijay further referred to the constitutional provision enabling the Supreme Court to function in Delhi or at other locations, noting that the issue had also figured in discussions at a Chief Justices' conference in 1979.

He highlighted that the Madras High Court, established in 1862, was among the country's oldest chartered High Courts. The Chief Minister also noted that the establishment of a Supreme Court Bench was among the legal questions referred for consideration by a Constitution Bench. In 2024, the Centre had informed the Lok Sabha that the Supreme Court had stated there was no need for regional Benches.