Justice Swaminathan’s Deepam order sparks appeals: What is the case about

Madurai: The Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam case has drawn significant attention after Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court directed the temple executive officer to light the Deepam on the Deepathoon near the hilltop dargah, in addition to the customary locations.

The December 1 order led to immediate appeals from the district administration and temple authorities, with the division bench scheduling hearings for December 12. The case has also sparked a contempt petition over alleged non-compliance and a political response, with the CPM announcing plans to file a complaint with the Chief Justice of India, alleging that several of Justice Swaminathan’s past orders were anti-secular.

What’s the case?

The case involves the Karthigai Deepam festival at Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, where a petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, sought to light the ceremonial lamp on the Deepathoon, near a dargah, in addition to traditional locations.

The temple executive officer initially denied the request, but Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court quashed the rejection on 1 December 2025, directing the Deepam to be lit at both the traditional spots and the Deepathoon. The verdict prompted appeals by the district administration and temple authorities, while a contempt petition arose after police initially blocked the petitioner despite CISF protection, leading the judge to quash the prohibitory order.

The division bench will hear all appeals on 12 December, and the contempt petition is adjourned to 9 December. Meanwhile, CPM has approached the Chief Justice of India, alleging that several of Justice Swaminathan’s orders, including this one, undermine secular principles and have heightened tensions around the ritual.

Who is Justice GR Swaminathan?

Justice GR Swaminathan is a sitting judge of the Madras High Court, serving at the Madurai Bench. He was appointed an additional judge in 2017 and later confirmed as a permanent judge.

Over the years, he has handled matters involving constitutional rights, administrative powers, religious rituals and civil liberties. His orders often draw significant public and political attention due to the sensitivity of the issues heard at the Madurai Bench.

The 1 December Thiruparankundram Deepam Order

On 1 December, Justice Swaminathan delivered a key order in the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam case.

The judgment:

• Quashed the temple executive officer’s 3 November order rejecting petitioner Rama Ravikumar’s request to light the Deepam on the Deepathoon near the dargah.
• Directed the executive officer to light the Deepam at the Deepathoon in addition to the customary locations from this year onwards.
• The order immediately triggered appeals from the district administration, the state government and the temple authorities.

Appeals Listed for 12 December Hearing

A division bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan has scheduled all appeals—filed and to be filed—against the 1 December verdict for a joint hearing on 12 December.

The bench instructed any party wishing to appeal to file their papers by Friday so that all matters can be taken up together.

Amid rising commentary around the case, the judges asked all sides to avoid making adverse remarks against the judiciary while the legal process is ongoing.

Contempt Proceedings Over Non-Compliance

Parallel to the appeals, Justice Swaminathan also heard a contempt petition filed by petitioner Rama Ravikumar alleging non-compliance with the 1 December order.

Key developments:

• The judge had permitted the petitioner to light the Deepam with CISF protection after police initially cited a prohibitory order from the Madurai collector.
• The collector’s prohibitory order was later quashed by the judge, who directed police to provide full protection.
• Despite this, the directive was not implemented, prompting the judge to seek a report from the CISF commandant present during the attempted enforcement.
• The contempt petition has now been adjourned to 9 December.

Political Reaction: CPM to Approach CJI

In Chennai, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam announced that the party would submit a formal complaint to the Chief Justice of India seeking action against Justice Swaminathan.

The CPM alleged that:

• Several of his past orders were “anti-secular”.
• His 1 December directions had intensified tensions in Thiruparankundram even after the temple completed the ritual in line with traditional practice.
• Some of his rulings drew parallels to earlier disputes such as the Sabarimala controversy.
• The CPM said the complaint would list what it described as “erroneous” judgments delivered over the years.

Situation Continues to Evolve

The Thiruparankundram Deepam case now sits at the intersection of judicial review, administrative action and political response. Multiple appeals, compliance questions and objections are before the Madras High Court, with the Supreme Court also seized of aspects of the matter through a Special Leave Petition. Further clarity is expected after the hearings scheduled for 9 December and 12 December.