IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 12-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P. DHANABAL A.Nos.288 to 293 of 2026 in C.S.No.4 of 2026 Barnas Devasuthan H. … Applicant in A.No.288 of 2026 J.Jayakar … Applicant in A.No.289 of 2026 Jebachandran … Applicant in A.No.290 of 2026 P.Franklin Asaf … Applicant in A.No.291 of 2026 D.Mohanraj Arumainayagam … Applicant in A.No.292 of 2026 M.Koilraj … Applicant in A.No.293 of 2026 -Vs-

1.

Rajesh Ravichandar R.

2. Rev.S.Harris

3. Church of South India rep. By General Secretary, CSI Synod Secretariat, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai – 600 014

4. Moderator Commissary / Bishop in Charge of CSI TND, CSI Centre, No.5, Whites Road, Royapettah Chennai – 600 014

5. Administrator of CSI TND No.C9, AGS Colony, Beach 1 Cross Street, Kottivakkam, Chennai – 600 041 …. Respondents A.Nos. 288 to 293 of

2026 Prayer in all the Applications Applications filed under Order XIV Rule 8 of Original Side Rules r/w Order 1 Rule 10(2) CPC r/w Section 152 CPC to implead as defendants in C.S.No.4 of 2026, consequently as respondents in all Applications in C.S.No.4 of 2026.

For Applicants in Mr.Vineet Subramani A.Nos.288 and 289 of

2026:

For Applicants in Mr.V.Raghavachari for A.Nos.290 and 291 of

2026: M/s Kingsly Solomon Ms.J.Johnsy Greeta For Applicant in A.No.293 of 2026:

Mr.S.Thankasivan for For Applicant in A.No.292 of 2026 Ms.M.Akila

C O M M O N O R D E R

These Applications have been filed by the applicants to implead them as defendants in the Main Suit in C.S.No.4 of 2026. Since all the applicants have filed separate applications to implead them as parties in the main suits, all the applications are taken up together and a common order is passed.

2. According to the applicants, they are the members of various Church CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese of South India. The respondents 1 and 2, being the plaintiffs have filed a suit in C.S.No.4 of 2026 for declaration to declare the election conducted by the 5^th respondent / 3^rd defendant on 09.11.2025, 15.11.2025, 22.11.2025 and 13.12.2025 in respect of CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese conducted by the 3^rd respondent as unconstitutional and against the provisions of Constitution of CSI and CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese and null and void and also to declare the Election schedule dated 31.10.2025 released by 3^rd defendant without approval and consent of 2^nd defendant, as unconstitutional against the provisions of the Constitution of CSI and CSI Thothukudi Nazareth Constitution as Null and Void; to declare that the order no.58 of 2025 dated 09.05.2025 in respect of suspension of clergy, paper publication dated 18.11.2025 issued by the 3^rd defendant in respect of the transfer, suspension and retransfer of Clergy and prohibiting of the Clergy dated 19.11.2025 discharging religious activities are against the Order of O.S.A.No.247 of 2024, Constitution of CSI and CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Constitution as null and void; Declare the Notice issued by the 3^rd defendant dated 15.12.2025 for diocesan Council Meeting to be held on 30.12.2025 and 31.12.2025 is unconstitutional and against the Constitution of CSI and CSI Thoothukudi Nazareth Constitution and null and void; and for other reliefs.

3. The applicants have held various posts in various church and therefore, they are also proper and necessary parties to the suits and without their presence, the suits cannot be disposed of, therefore all the applicants have to be impleaded as necessary parties to the suits.

4. The respondents filed counter denying the averments made in the affidavits and stated that the same are false. The applicants have made various averments in respect of erstwhile office bearers, therefore, they ought to have filed separate suits, but without filing separate suits, now, the applicants have filed these applications only to delay the proceedings. The elected candidates are not necessarily required to be impleaded and every elected candidates are party to the proceedings for adjudicating