The Madras High Court on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, which sought to forbear retired judges from issuing public letters, appeals, or statements intended at influencing pending judicial proceedings, particularly in matters involving allegations against sitting judges.

Madras High Court refuses to entertain PIL seeking to restrain retired judges from issuing public letters, appeals, or statements
Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, presiding over the first Division Bench along with Justice Sunder Mohan, says it is a “publicity interest litigation”
Published – August 13,

The Madras High Court on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, which sought to forbear retired judges from issuing public letters, appeals, or statements intended at influencing pending judicial proceedings, particularly in matters involving allegations against sitting judges.

First Division Bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan said, no such prohibitory orders, as sought by the PIL petitioner R. Varaaki of Chennai, could be passed against retired judges and said, the sitting judges would not be influenced with such appeals by retired judges. “This is all a publicity interest litigation. The matter will be looked into… you need not poke your nose into this,” the Chief Justice told the petitioner’s counsel G.S. Mani.