RT. REV. DR. J.A.D. JEBACHANDRAN, BISHOP OF THOOTHUKUDI - NAZARETH DIOCESE Vs. MODERATOR, THE CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA, CSI SYNOD CENTRE, CHENNAI-14

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This original side appeal is preferred by the plaintiff, whose plaint in original Civil Suit No.710 of 2013 stood rejected by allowing an application in A. No. 5968 of 2013 moved in that suit by the defendant.

(2.) The Church of South India is having 22 Dioceses spread all over South India and also at Jafna in Sri Lanka. Tirunelveli Diocese was bifurcated and Tuticorin - Nazareth Diocese was formed during the years 2003-2004. A Bishop will be selected from out of four persons picked up by the Diocesan Council Members. The Selection Committee for selecting the Bishop will be constituted during the General Body Meeting of the Synod.

(3.) It is the claim of the plaintiff that the plaintiff has been selected, appointed, consecrated and installed as the first Bishop of Tuticorin - Nazareth Diocese during May 2006. Thus, the plaintiff became the religious and administrative head of Tuticorin - Nazareth Diocese. The plaintiff, upon considering the letter of the defendant dated 16.1.2013 as an act of interference in the administrative affairs of Tuticorin - Nazareth Diocese, instituted a civil suit in O.S. No. 64 of 2013 on the file of the Subordinate Court, Tuticorin seeking declaration that the letter dated 16.1.2013 is null and void. He also obtained an interim injunction in that suit on 25.2.2013 restraining the defendant therein from interfering with the functioning of the plaintiff as the Bishop of Tuticorin - Nazareth Diocese.