MADRAS HIGH COURT DIRECTS POLICE ENQUIRY INTO COMPLAINTS RELATING TO CHETTINAD VIDYASHRAM AND ASSOCIATED TRUSTS.

MADRAS HIGH COURT DIRECTS POLICE ENQUIRY INTO COMPLAINTS RELATING TO CHETTINAD VIDYASHRAM AND ASSOCIATED TRUSTS.
The Madras High Court has directed The Commissioner of Police, Chennai Corporation, to conduct an enquiry and take appropriate action on a complaint against concerning the mismanagement of Chettinad Vidyashram School, operated by the Kumara Rajah Muthiah School of Traditional Arts & Crafts Society, and various charitable trusts associated with the Chettinad family.
The order was passed by the Hon’ble High Court on 29.05.2026 in W.P.(Crl.) No.1246 of 2026, filed by Mr. V. Palaniappan, a member of the Society, seeking action on a complaint dated 26.05.2026.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Mr. J. Ravindran submitted that the allegations disclosed serious issues concerning the administration of Chettinad Vidyashram and related charitable institutions and warranted immediate investigation. Taking note of the submissions and the nature of the allegations placed before it, the Hon’ble Madras High Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Chennai Corporation, to conduct an enquiry forthwith and take appropriate action, while emphasizing that the interests of students studying in the educational institutions run by the Society must also be safeguarded.
According to the complaint, serious allegations have been raised regarding the administration of the Society and the connected trusts. The complaint alleges that Mr. Raja Karuppan Chetty, who was initially associated with the Chettinad household in a modest capacity, gradually assumed significant influence over the administration of various trusts, institutions and affairs connected with the Chettinad family. According to the petitioner, in W.P.(Crl.) No.1246 of 2026, taking advantage of internal disputes relating to the management of the trusts and societies following the demise of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy and subsequently Kumararani Dr. Meena Muthiah, Mr. Raja Karuppan Chetty allegedly consolidated control over the administration of the institutions and, along with certain associates and family members, misappropriated trust funds and acquired substantial movable and immovable assets. The complaint further alleges that properties, companies and business entities worth several hundred crores were acquired through funds allegedly diverted from charitable trusts and educational institutions, and seeks a detailed investigation into the financial transactions, records and assets connected with the persons concerned. The allegations include:
• Large-scale misappropriation and siphoning of funds belonging to charitable trusts and educational institutions.
• Forgery, fabrication and manipulation of records and documents.
• Cheating and criminal breach of trust.
• Unlawful control and administration of the Kumara Rajah Muthiah School of Traditional Arts & Crafts Society, which runs Chettinad Vidyashram.
• Interference with the functioning and administration of the Society despite orders passed by the High Court.
• Failure to hand over administration to the Court-appointed Administrator.
• Attempts to erase, suppress, alter or destroy documentary and financial records.
• Alienation of properties and creation of third-party rights in assets allegedly acquired through trust funds.
• Accumulation of substantial movable and immovable assets allegedly disproportionate to known sources of income.
• Diversion and misuse of funds belonging to various charitable trusts established for educational and charitable purposes.
The complaint further sought investigation into the affairs of various charitable trusts, including Dr. Meena Muthiah Charitable Trust, Dr. Meena Muthiah Trust, Kumararani Dr. Meena Muthiah of Chettinad Charitable Trust, Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust, and the Kumara Rajah Muthiah School of Traditional Arts & Crafts Society.
The petitioner also brought to the notice of the Court that by an earlier order dated 14.05.2026 passed in C.S. No.54 of 2024 and connected applications, the Madras High Court had appointed an Administrator to oversee the affairs of the Society. It was alleged that despite the said appointment, certain persons continued to interfere with the administration and functioning of the Society and its institutions.
After hearing the parties, the Hon’ble High Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Chennai Corporation, to enquire into the complaint and take appropriate action.
The operative portion of the order reads:
“In view of the above, this Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Chennai Corporation, to conduct an enquiry on the petitioner’s complaint dated 26.05.2026 forthwith, take appropriate action and logically conclude the same at the earliest, keeping in view that the society is involved in running educational institutions and thus interest of students are also at stake.”
The Court specifically noted that the Society is involved in running educational institutions and that the interests of students are also involved, while directing the police authorities to conclude the enquiry at the earliest.
The writ petition was accordingly disposed of with the above directions.