Latest news with #KPonmudy
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC slams TN cops for closing 124 complaints against former minister Ponmudy
CHENNAI: Coming down heavily on the Tamil Nadu police for closing all the 124 complaints, at the preliminary stage itself, filed against former minister and senior DMK leader K Ponmudy for his alleged hate speech against women and Saivite and Vaishnavite denominations, the Madras High Court on Tuesday said the court cannot remain a mute spectator if politicians cross the limits. Hearing a suo motu case initiated against Ponmudy, Justice P Velmurugan said the contempt case would be kept open and he would 'vigilantly watch' what the police was going to do on the matter. 'Where do you derive the powers to close these complaints after preliminary inquiry? If you think you have the right to close the complaints, the court has the rights to proceed on them,' the judge said, responding to Advocate General PS Raman's submission that the complaints were closed after preliminary investigation under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The AG also said BNSS allows the complainants to make appeals with the Inspector General (IG) concerned and the DGP. The investigating officers have found that the former minister had only spoken what was said 60 years ago and such speech would not fall under hate speech, the AG said.
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Politicians act like kings: Madras High Court raps ex-minister for vulgar speech
The Madras High Court came down heavily on former DMK Minister K Ponmudy over his derogatory remarks against Vaishnavites, Saivites, and women of the general category, warning that a CBI probe could be ordered if Tamil Nadu police fail to act against an event in April, Ponmudy made remarks linking Hindu religious identities with sexual a suo motu writ petition initiated by the court, Justice Velmurugan observed, 'Nowadays these politicians feel that sky's the limit under Article 19. We can't be mere spectators. We live in a democracy with many communities.'advertisement The judge further stressed that politicians, while addressing the public, must remember they live in a country meant for everyone, 'not for any particular person, not for the politician alone,' he said. 'Everyone must realise that they're living among the people.''Everyone is taking the mic and saying so many things as if they're the king. As if no one can do anything against the king. The court cannot just watch and tolerate all this,' the court said, as reported by Live Velmurugan also noted that, 'Unfortunately or fortunately, this is the first such case," listing the matter for August a viral video from the public event, Ponmudi was heard saying, 'Women, please don't misunderstand,' before narrating a joke where a man visits a sex worker, who then asks the man whether he is a Shaivite or the anecdote, when the man doesn't understand, she clarifies by asking whether he wears a pattai (horizontal tilak, associated with Shaivism) or a naamam (vertical tilak, associated with Vaishnavism). She then explains that if he's a Shaivite, the position is 'lying down,' and if Vaishnavite, the position is 'standing up'.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC warns of giving Ponmudy case to CBI if cops fail to act
CHENNAI: If Tamil Nadu police fail to conduct an investigation against former minister K Ponmudy for his derogatory speeches against Vaishnavites, Shaivites and women, the cases would be transferred to CBI, the Madras High Court warned on Friday. Justice P Velmurugan, who holds the portfolio of MP/MLA cases, made the observations while hearing a case initiated suo motu by Justice Anand Venkatesh in April after videos of Ponmudy, the then forest minister, making the alleged hate speech began circulating. Advocate General PS Raman informed the court that after the case was taken up suo motu, three complaints received against the minister were investigated and closed as it was found that the charges of hate speech were not made out.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hate speech: Court warns of CBI probe against Ponmudy
Chennai: Madras high court has warned of ordering a CBI probe if the Tamil Nadu police hesitate to conduct an investigation into the cases filed against former minister K Ponmudy for his alleged hate speech against women and Saiva-Vaishnava sects. Justice P Velmurugan made the observation on Friday during a suo motu proceeding initiated by Justice N Anand Venkatesh against the former minister due to police inaction. When the plea came up for hearing, advocate-general P S Raman submitted that complaints lodged at three police stations against Ponmudy were investigated, and it was concluded that his speech did not amount to hate speech, so those complaints were closed. Since then, 112 complaints have been filed across Tamil Nadu. The intelligence inquiry on these is still pending, he added, and said the former minister had quoted an incident that happened around 60 years ago. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Refusing to concur, the court warned that if police hesitate to inquire into the complaints against the former minister, investigation could be transferred to CBI. The judge wondered why the former minister chose to quote this particular incident when many other good incidents had happened at the same time. "A minister should understand what he/she says. Even freedom of speech has reasonable restrictions," the court said and adjourned the hearing to July 18.
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Tamil Nadu Ministers Senthil Balaji, K Ponmudy Resign From State Cabinet
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Ministers V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy have resigned from the M K Stalin-led state cabinet and the Governor has accepted the same, the Raj Bhavan said on Sunday. Governor R N Ravi has approved Chief Minister Stalin's recommendation to accept their resignation, a Raj Bhavan communique said. Senthil Balaji, facing ED probe, had been asked by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to make a choice "between post and freedom" as it warned him of cancelling bail if he did not step down as minister. K Ponmudy had courted a major controversy over his Shaivite-Vaishnavite remarks made in the context of a sex worker, drawing widespread criticism, even as the Madras High Court later initiated proceedings on its own on the matter. Though he had been removed from a key party post, there were demands from opposition parties and other quarters, for his ouster from the cabinet. Transport Minister S S Sivasankar will handle Electricity portfolio, held by Senthil Balaji. Further, Housing Minister S Muthusamy has been allotted Excise and Prohibition, also held by Senthil Balaji. R S Rajakannappan has been allotted K Ponmudy's Forests and Khadi, in addition to his existing Milk and Dairy Development portfolio, the release said. Further, the Governor has accepted the CM's recommendation to include Padmanabhapuram MLA T Mano Thangaraj in the cabinet, it said. He was dropped in an earlier shuffle of the cabinet. The swearing-in of the minister designate will be held at 6 PM on Monday, it added.
