Madras High Court Chief Justice (CJ) SV Gangapurwala announced a new welfare scheme on Wednesday aimed at providing financial assistance to district judiciary employees throughout Tamil Nadu.
CJ Gangapurwala introduced the “Chief Justice Relief Fund Scheme for district judiciary employees” during the foundation stone laying ceremony organized by the Madras High Court for the construction of a new, five-storey building adjacent to the existing court campus. This new building will accommodate additional courtrooms, judges’ chambers, record rooms, etc.
The welfare scheme operates on a subscription basis and is open to all regular employees of the district judiciary across Tamil Nadu. It is expected to benefit approximately 21,000 employees after their retirement.
Employees are required to pay a monthly subscription fee of ₹100 for the first three years and ₹200 from August 2027 onwards. Subscribers will be entitled to receive monetary benefits ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh. In the event of accidents or the “untimely death” of such employees, their families will also receive monetary compensation according to the scheme.
Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala, who is set to retire on May 23, emphasized the importance of extending similar relief measures to the district judiciary, citing the existence of a welfare fund scheme for all staff members of the Madras High Court since March 2003.
“I wish to quote the parable here that says that little drops make a mighty ocean. Similarly, savings of small amounts over a period of time will give you a big corpus,” CJ Gangapurwala remarked.
During the ceremony, the Chief Justice also announced the appointment of Justice R Mahadevan, the most senior puisne judge of the Madras High Court, as the Acting Chief Justice of the Court by the Union Ministry of Law.
Present at the occasion were Justices MM Sundresh of the Supreme Court and Justices D Krishnakumar and R Subramanian of the Madras High Court, who are members of the High Court building committee.
On Tuesday, a group of Senior Advocates of the High Court filed a petition seeking an urgent hearing regarding concerns surrounding the proposed construction activity. They raised objections to the construction planned next to the Madras Law College building adjacent to the High Court, citing the heritage status of both structures. They emphasized the need for a proper master plan and approvals from heritage bodies and the PWD before proceeding with the construction. The High Court is scheduled to hear the plea on June 3.
