The Madras High Court has taken a stern stance against a controversial Tamil book, issuing a sweeping ban on its publication and circulation. The court found the book to contain highly derogatory and abusive remarks directed at a sitting High Court judge.
Court's Stern Order and Contempt Proceedings
On Wednesday, the first bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan passed the decisive order. The court prohibited the publication, sale, and circulation of the book in question. It did not mince words, stating that the content, on the face of it, was "highly derogatory and abusive" and "crosses all limits."
Going a step further, the bench initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the book's publisher, identified as Keezhaikaatru Publishers. The book was slated for release at the upcoming Chennai Book Fair, which begins on January 8.
The Petition and the Alleged Target
The court's action came on a plea moved by advocate P Naveenprasad. The petition alleged that the book's content was specifically aimed at Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai bench. The controversy is linked to Justice Swaminathan's judgement in the Karthigai Deepam case.
In that case, the judge had initiated contempt proceedings against government authorities for repeatedly defying his orders. The orders directed the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam at the 'Deepathoon' atop Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai.
State Action and Political Backdrop
The High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Police to take immediate and effective action. Their mandate is to ensure no such book containing scandalous pictorial representations, statements, or caricatures against the court or the judge is published or circulated. The state must submit a compliance report by January 28.
Advocate General P S Raman assured the court that the state would implement any prohibitory order passed. This legal development follows significant political action against Justice Swaminathan last month. The governing DMK rallied opposition MPs and submitted an impeachment motion against the judge to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The court's pre-emptive ban underscores its zero-tolerance approach towards any material perceived as scandalizing the judiciary or threatening its dignity.
