The Madras High Court has directed the police to seize all copies of a book allegedly containing derogatory, abusive, and scandalous material targeting a sitting judge of the court, Justice G R Swaminathan. The book was reportedly set to be displayed at the Chennai Book Fair on January 8.
The directive came from the first bench comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate P Naveenprasad.
According to the petitioner, information about the book’s launch and its allegedly scandalous content surfaced on social media. Naveenprasad contended that the title and content of the book were aimed at Justice Swaminathan and contained offensive language and imagery designed to tarnish the judge’s reputation.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the bench observed in its order that “on the face of it, the proposed release of the book as titled and shown in the petition is highly derogatory and abusive and crosses all limits and needs to be dealt with stern hands by the Court.”
Based on the material placed before the court, the bench said it was inclined to initiate suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against the publisher, Keezhaikaatru Publishers, named as the fifth respondent in the petition. An emergent notice returnable in three weeks has been issued to the publisher.
The State counsel, representing the police, was directed to take “immediate and effective action” to prevent the release, publication, or circulation of the book or any other material—including pictorial representations or caricatures—that may scandalize the court or the judge.
The bench also clarified that police action may include seizure of any such content, whether in physical or electronic form. The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 28, by which time the State is expected to file a compliance report.
