Will Order CBI Probe If Police Doesn't Act On Complaints Against Ponmudi's Hate Speech: Madras High Court

Justice P Velmurugan expressed dissatisfaction with the authority's inaction and said that he would take a final call on the case on July 8.

The court had previously issued notice to the Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police (Greater Chennai) on a suo motu case, initiated on an order of Justice Anand Venkatesh. The judge had directed the Registry to initiate suo motu writ proceedings against the Minister and place the matter before the Chief Justice for further action. Following this, the matter was posted before Justice P Velmurugan.

Justice Venkatesh had opined that the speech made by the Minister prima facie appeared to be hate speech. The judge also said that the statements made by the Minister were derogatory to women and wounded the religious feelings of Vaishnavites and Saivites- the two main sects of Hinduism in the State.

Justice Venkatesh had also criticised the state police for remaining"motionless" and not taking any action against the Minister even after the previous order of the court. The court said that it was its duty to ensure that the State police follow the orders of the Supreme Court regarding hate speech. The court also underlined that there would be zero tolerance for hate speech.

The judge had also said that a message should be sent so that in the future, people would not venture to make such spurious statements. The court emphasised that people holding such a position should not be making such comments. The court added that people should not get the impression that merely because someone belongs to a particular political party, they could say anything.

When the court questioned the State's actions today, Advocate General PS Raman informed the court that 112 complaints have been received against Ponmudi and the same were being investigated. The judge expressed dissatisfaction and wondered why a Minister, holding a public portfolio would make such comments.

The court then adjourned the plea to July 8.

Case Title: Suo Motu WP v. Director General of Police and Another

Case No: WP Crl 1/2025