Court rules jurisdiction under Article 226 cannot be invoked for settling family disputes
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by P. Balasubramaniyam against his daughter-in-law, asserting that the legal framework under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution cannot be exploited for personal grievances or vendettas, especially in matters pertaining to family disputes. The judgment was delivered by Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy on January 12, 2026.
The petitioner, P. Balasubramaniyam, sought a writ of mandamus directing the Health and Family Welfare Department and other respondents to recover an amount of Rs. 40 lakhs from the 5th respondent, who was his daughter-in-law. The petitioner claimed that she had not complied with the bond period stipulated during her post-graduate degree course in M.S. (General Surgery) under the Tamil Nadu Government Medical College's state quota for the academic session 2016-2017.
The court noted that the petitioner had suppressed critical information regarding his relationship with the 5th respondent, who is involved in pending divorce proceedings with his son. It was observed that the petitioner previously lodged a complaint with the Tamil Nadu Medical Council, which was dismissed after an elaborate inquiry.
Justice Chakravarthy highlighted the issue of increasing docket multiplication in family disputes, extending beyond family courts to criminal and other jurisdictions. The judgment emphasized that Article 226 jurisdiction is not intended for resolving personal vendettas or family conflicts. The petitioner failed to demonstrate personal grievance or file the petition as public interest litigation, rendering the writ petition unsustainable.
Consequently, the court dismissed the petition, imposing costs of Rs. 2000 to be paid by the petitioner to the 3rd respondent, underscoring the misuse of legal recourse for settling personal scores.
Bottom Line:
A writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India cannot be entertained for personal vendetta or to settle family disputes. The petitioner must show personal grievance or file it as a public interest litigation, if applicable.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India
P. Balasubramaniyam v. Principal Secretary to Government, (Madras) : Law Finder Doc id # 2844497
