therefore prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to formulate and implement strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the appointment of Law Officers, ensuring total transparency, meritocracy, and adherence to statutory rules. Pending such regulation and final disposal of the main Writ Petition, this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to pass an order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents from

by Sekar Reporter · June 10, 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
MADURAI BENCH
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
W.M.P. (MD) No. of 2026
in
W.P. (MD) No. 18070 of 2025

2. The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Home Department,
Fort St. George,
Chennai – 600 009.

3. The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Law Department,
Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.

… Respondents / Respondents

AFFIDAVIT OF THE PETITIONER

I, C. Selvakumar, S/o. Chinnaiah, Hindu, aged about 48 years, residing at Door No. 6A, North Street, Managiri, Madurai – 625 020, do hereby solemnly affirm and sincerely state as follows:
1. I am the petitioner in the main Writ Petition and as such, I am fully conversant with the facts and circumstances of the case.
2. I have filed the main Writ Petition W.P. (MD) No. 18070 of 2025 as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the improper appointment of Law Officers in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, which was done in complete violation of the Law Officers of High Court of Madras and its Bench at Madurai (Appointment) Rules, 2017. The said Writ Petition is very much pending before this Hon’ble Court.
3. I respectfully submit that while the main Writ Petition is pending consideration, the 2nd Respondent herein has unexpectedly issued a fresh Notification bearing Notification No. 01/2026 dated 25.05.2026, inviting applications for the post of Government Advocate (Criminal Side) in the High Court of Madras and its Bench at Madurai.
4. I further submit that it has come to my knowledge that the Respondents are actively considering a list of advocates recommended by a political party (AICC Law Department) for appointment as Law Officers. This recommendation, evidenced by the document, which is spreading through social media, violates the principles of meritocracy and transparency mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Mamata Mohanty v. State of Orissa.
5. I further submit that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in The State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. v. Bherulal (2020) has strictly deprecated the casual and bureaucratic approach of government authorities, emphasizing that government action must be diligent and accountable.
6. I state that the primary contention in my pending PIL is that the selection and appointment process must strictly adhere to the statutory rules to ensure that meritorious and eligible candidates are selected. However, if the Respondents are permitted to proceed with the recruitment process under the impugned Notification No.01/2026 dated 25.05.2026 during the pendency of the main Writ Petition, it will create third-party rights and completely defeat the very object of the main litigation.
7. I further submit that if the Respondents are permitted to finalize appointments based on such political recommendations, the very purpose of the main Writ Petition will be defeated, and it will cause irreparable harm to the judicial administration in the State.
8. I state that the balance of convenience heavily lies in favor of the petitioner. If the operation and further proceedings of the current Notification are not stayed, irreversible administrative complications will arise, and the law aspirants as well as the public interest will suffer grave and irreparable loss and injury.
I therefore prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to formulate and implement strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the appointment of Law Officers, ensuring total transparency, meritocracy, and adherence to statutory rules. Pending such regulation and final disposal of the main Writ Petition, this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to pass an order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents from appointing any person from the list of advocates recommended by political entities or any other private sources, in the interest of justice.

Solemnly affirmed at Madurai BEFORE ME
on this the 8th day of June 2026
and signed his name before me. ADVOCATE

MEMORANDUM OF WRIT MISCELLANEOUS PETITION
(UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTON OF INDIA)
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
MADURAI BENCH
(Special Original Jurisdiction)

W.M.P. (MD) No. of 2026
in
W.P. (MD) No. 18070 of 2025

C. Selvakumar,
S/o. Chinnaiah,
6A, North Street,
Managiri, Madurai – 625 020.
… Petitioner / Petitioner
Vs
1.The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Public (Law Officers) Department,
Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
2. The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Home Department,
Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
3. The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Law Department,
Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
… Respondents / Respondents

PETITION FOR INTERIM STAY
For the reasons stated in the accompanying affidavit, it is prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to formulate and implement strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the appointment of Law Officers, ensuring total transparency, meritocracy, and adherence to statutory rules. Pending such regulation and final disposal of the main Writ Petition, this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to pass an order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents from appointing any person from the list of advocates recommended by political entities or any other private sources, in the interest of justice.

Dated at Madurai on this the 8th day of June, 2026.

COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
MADURAI BENCH
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
W.M.P. (MD) No. of 2026
in
W.P. (MD) No. 18070 of 2025

C. Selvakumar
… Petitioner / Petitioner
Vs
The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Public (Law Officers) Department and 2 others
… Respondents / Respondents

PETITION FOR INTERIM STAY

M/s.K.KANNAN (1278/1999)
COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER
9750122669

BEFORE THE HONOURABLE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT AT MADURAI
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
W.M.P. (MD) No. of 2026
in
W.P. (MD) No. 18070 of 2025

C. Selvakumar
… Petitioner / Petitioner
Vs
The State of Tamil Nadu,
Represented by its Principal Secretary,
Public (Law Officers) Department,
And 2 others
… Respondents / Respondents

INDEX

S.No Date Description of the Document Page Nos
1 8.6.26 Stay petition
2 8.6.26 Affidavit
ADDITIONAL TYPED SET OF PAPERS
3 25.5.26 Copy of the notification no:01/2026 issued by Home (courts-IV)department
4 1.6.26 Copy of the list of counsel recommended by AICC submitted to the state law minister

Dated at Madurai on this 8th day of June, 2026

Counsel for Petitioner