Madras High Court appoints industrialist P. Vijayakumar Reddy as interim administrator of Chettinad Vidyashram school

The Madras High Court, after hearing arguments, held that the May 7 notice was not issued as required by the bylaws and that extraordinary circumstances arising from the secretary’s death and the treasurer’s resignation necessitated a general body meeting. The court restrained the managing committee members from interfering with day-to-day affairs and, in the interim, appointed P. Vijayakumar Reddy, the incumbent president of the managing committee, as interim administrator of the society to ensure smooth functioning of Chettinad Vidyashram.

Applications allege that the managing committee meeting convened by two society members on May 7, 2026 did not follow bylaws, as it circumvented a general body meeting for electing a new secretary. Clause 22 requires a requisition by at least two members and seven days’ clear notice; the notice was not issued in accordance with these requirements.

The registered society’s secretary Meena Muthiah passed away on May 2, 2026, creating a governance vacuum at Kumara Rajah Muthiah School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, which runs Chettinad Vidyashram in Chennai.