Madras HC reserves order on Nadigar Sangam tenure row, ruling on July 1
Synopsis
The Madras High Court will rule on 1 July on whether a civil suit challenging the Nadigar Sangam leadership's post-tenure continuation can even proceed — a case complicated by the Tamil Nadu government's own order extending Nasser, Vishal Krishna, and Karthi's terms to 2028, which the petitioner has not challenged.
Key Takeaways
Madras High Court has reserved orders until 1 July 2025 on a plea to reject a suit against Nadigar Sangam office-bearers' continued tenure.
The suit was filed by member V.
Nambirajan , challenging the continuation of Nasser , Vishal Krishna , and Karthi beyond their term expiry on 19 March 2025 .
A Tamil Nadu government order dated 14 October 2025 extended the office-bearers' tenure to 19 March 2028 under Section 54 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975 .
The court noted the petitioner has not challenged the Government Order, raising questions about the suit's legal efficacy.
The 68th AGM resolution on 8 September 2024 , backed by 311 members , had sought the extension to complete the association's convention centre project.
The Madras High Court has reserved its orders until 1 July 2025 on a plea seeking rejection of a civil suit that challenges the continued tenure of actors Nasser, Vishal Krishna, and Karthi as President, General Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively, of the South Indian Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam). The suit questions whether the three office-bearers can legally remain in their posts after their elected three-year term expired on 19 March 2025.
Background to the Dispute
The petition was filed by V. Nambirajan, a Nadigar Sangam member, who argues that the association's bylaws mandate fresh elections every three years. According to Nambirajan, elections should have been held after the incumbent office-bearers' term lapsed in March 2025. Instead, he contends, the leadership continued in office on the strength of a resolution passed at the association's 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 8 September 2024.
The office-bearers — originally elected on 21 March 2022 — have now had their tenure extended to 19 March 2028 under a Government Order issued on 14 October 2025 by the Tamil Nadu government, invoking Section 54 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.
What the Court Observed
A bench of Justice A.D. Maria Clete heard arguments on an application to reject the plaint. During the hearing, the judge noted a significant gap in Nambirajan's case: even if the court were to invalidate the AGM resolution, it was unclear how the plaintiff would benefit, given that the Tamil Nadu government's Government Order — which Nambirajan has not challenged — independently extends the tenure of the office-bearers.
Nadigar Sangam's counsel, Krishna Ravindran, pressed this point, arguing that the suit targets only the AGM resolution and not the Government Order, rendering the legal challenge potentially incomplete.
The AGM Resolution and Association's Defence
The Nadigar Sangam submitted that member S.R. Sekar had moved a resolution at the 68th AGM on 23 August 2024, backed by 311 members, seeking a three-year extension to allow the current leadership to complete the construction of the association's long-anticipated convention centre — described as its 'dream project.' The resolution was reportedly passed unanimously at the AGM.
The association also pointed out that 79-year-old Nambirajan had not attended the 2024 AGM or any annual general meeting since joining as a member in 2015. It further alleged that he was being used as a proxy litigant by those seeking to disrupt the association's functioning and obstruct the convention centre project, though these allegations remain unproven in court.
What Happens Next
The Madras High Court is expected to deliver its order on 1 July 2025. The ruling could determine whether the civil suit proceeds to a full hearing or is rejected at the threshold. Depending on the outcome, the legal status of the Nadigar Sangam's current leadership — and the future of its convention centre project — may face fresh uncertainty.
Point of View
A challenge limited to the AGM resolution may be legally toothless from the outset. The more pointed question — whether a state government can override a registered society's own bylaws on election cycles via a Section 54 order — remains unaddressed in the current suit. That is the constitutional tension worth watching. The proxy-litigant allegation, meanwhile, is a familiar deflection in internal association disputes and should not obscure the legitimate governance question at stake: who decides when elected office-bearers overstay their mandate?
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nadigar Sangam tenure dispute about?
The dispute centres on whether actors Nasser, Vishal Krishna, and Karthi can legally continue as President, General Secretary, and Treasurer of the South Indian Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam) after their elected three-year term expired on 19 March 2025. Petitioner V. Nambirajan argues the association's bylaws required fresh elections; the Nadigar Sangam contends the extension was validly approved at its 68th AGM and subsequently backed by a Tamil Nadu government order.
When will the Madras High Court deliver its order?
The Madras High Court is scheduled to deliver its order on 1 July 2025. Justice A.D. Maria Clete reserved the ruling after hearing arguments on the application to reject the civil suit.
What is the Tamil Nadu government's role in this dispute?
The Tamil Nadu government issued a Government Order on 14 October 2025, under Section 54 of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, extending the Nadigar Sangam office-bearers' tenure from March 2025 to 19 March 2028. The court noted that the petitioner has not challenged this order, which could significantly weaken his case.
Why did the Nadigar Sangam seek an extension of its office-bearers' term?
The association sought the extension primarily to allow the current leadership to complete the construction of its convention centre, described as a long-awaited 'dream project.' A resolution to this effect, moved by member S.R. Sekar and backed by 311 members, was unanimously approved at the 68th AGM on 8 September 2024.
Who is V. Nambirajan and why has the Nadigar Sangam questioned his standing?
V. Nambirajan is a Nadigar Sangam member who filed the civil suit challenging the office-bearers' continuation. The association has alleged he is a proxy litigant acting on behalf of disgruntled elements seeking to disrupt its functioning, and noted that the 79-year-old has not attended any AGM since joining in 2015. These allegations remain unproven in court.
