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Synopsis

The Madras High Court has appointed two of its former judges, R Balasubramnian and V Bharathidasan, to oversee the management of the Church of South India (CSI) and its trust association until the conclusion of elections for the diocesan councils.

The division bench of Justice R Subramaniam and Justice R Sakthivel ordered that the committee of administrators appointed by the court immediately take over the administration of CSI.

The bench directed the administrative committee to conduct fresh elections for the Diocesan Councils and the Synod. Court ordered a special meeting of the synod to be convened at the earliest possible opportunity to elect new office-bearers.

The order was passed in a plea seeking to establish a framework under the Civil Procedure Code, outlining the criteria for appointment, tenure, and disqualification of members of the Synod.

Recently, a full bench of the high court had declared that the Church of South India (CSI), despite being a private religious entity, is subject to the writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution.

The public duty that CSI and the Church of South India Trust Association (CSITA) discharge falls within the contours of Article 21 and 21A of the Constitution of India, the bench of Justices R Subramanian, PT Asha, and N Senthilkumar had concurred.

Notably, CSI runs 2300 schools, 150 colleges and 104 hospitals in South India and its functions not only include worship and theology but also encompassing education and health care.