Tamil Nadu courts hear cases on religious conversion order, university appointments and election petitions

The Madras High Court has stayed a government order that cancelled a previous decree allowing the issuance of a certificate to individuals who have changed their religion to "Mush Lim". The court noted that a government order alone cannot overturn the High Court’s earlier ruling and that the state must follow established procedures.

The state government’s effort to expand the membership of university vice‑chancellor search committees from three to five members has been challenged as illegal. Party leaders argue that the composition of these committees is prescribed by university statutes and that the proposed increase would violate those laws. The dispute is pending before the Chennai High Court.

In a separate matter, the Chennai High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Mariy Vilsen and five MLAs to file written replies within four weeks to election petitions contesting their recent victories in several constituencies. The court’s notice requires the officials to explain the grounds of their elections and respond to the challenges raised by voters.