Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM Modi to take steps to set up Supreme Court Bench in Chennai

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin of Tamil Nadu wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the central government to approve the creation of a permanent bench of the Supreme Court in Chennai. The request references a long‑standing demand first articulated by the state in 1980, when officials highlighted the logistical and financial challenges faced by residents of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh who must travel to New Delhi for high‑court matters. The CM argued that a southern bench would bring the apex court closer to a large segment of the population, improving access to justice.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns about case backlogs and the high cost of litigation for ordinary citizens. Legal scholars note that the Supreme Court currently sits only in the national capital, requiring parties to incur travel expenses, accommodation costs, and time away from work. A bench in Chennai would not only alleviate these burdens but also allow the court to develop a deeper understanding of regional legal issues, such as water disputes and industrial regulations that are prevalent in the south. The state government has pledged to provide the necessary infrastructure and security arrangements to support the new bench.

For readers in Tamil Nadu, the move represents a potential shift in how the highest court of India interacts with the region. It could lead to faster resolution of cases, reduce the financial strain on litigants, and encourage greater public confidence in the judicial system. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts by state leaders to decentralize essential services, ensuring that citizens receive timely and affordable legal remedies without having to journey across the country.