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Madras High Court — a courthouse that used to double as a lighthouse

Official Websitehttps://www.hcmadras.tn.gov.in/
Location / Principal SeatChennai, Tamil Nadu
Jurisdiction (States/UTs Covered)Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
Year of Establishment26 June 1862
Languages Commonly UsedEnglish only (sole language of record under Article 348(1)(a); Hindi not authorised for proceedings)

Madras is the third of the original 1862 trio, and its main building on the Chennai waterfront — finished in 1892 in the Indo-Saracenic style — is genuinely one of the largest judicial-complex buildings anywhere in the world, second only to London's Royal Courts of Justice by most counts. One detail people tend to enjoy: the building's tower originally functioned as an actual working lighthouse for ships approaching the coast, court business and maritime navigation sharing the same rooftop.

Jurisdiction Map: Covers Tamil Nadu, Puducherry. Principal seat: Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It also reaches outlying parts of its territory through: Permanent Bench at Madurai.

Citation: Indian High Courts Act 1861.

Based on the supplied institutional guide. Historical details and jurisdiction require independent editorial verification; consult the official court website.

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