No, a divorce petition generally cannot be filed directly before the Madras High Court, since matrimonial matters under the Hindu Marriage Act and other personal laws fall within the original jurisdiction of the Family Court, and the Madras High Court's role in such matters is primarily appellate and supervisory rather than a court of first instance.

The Madras High Court hears appeals against Family Court judgments and orders, exercises writ jurisdiction in matters of procedural illegality or jurisdictional error, and can also be approached for transfer petitions or interim relief in exceptional circumstances, but the original divorce petition itself must be filed before the appropriate Family Court, such as the one in Chennai.

Certain related matters, such as challenges to arbitral awards in matrimonial disputes or specific writ petitions concerning constitutional rights within family proceedings, may fall within the High Court's original jurisdiction, but these are distinct from a standard divorce petition itself.

Given this jurisdictional structure, it is important to file your case correctly at the Family Court level to avoid delays from an improperly filed petition. Reaching out via Aapka Legal Advice can help you determine the correct forum for your specific situation.

Because approaching the wrong forum can result in significant procedural setbacks, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on where and how to file can save considerable time. Experienced divorce lawyers and retired judges are available through Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory.

In conclusion, you cannot seek an original divorce directly through the Madras High Court, as such petitions must be filed before the appropriate Family Court, with the High Court's role limited to appeals and specific supervisory functions.