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Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Politicians believe they are kings': HC slams TN police over closing complaints against Ponmudi
Political leaders wrongly believe they are the kings who can do no wrong, the Madras high court remarked on Tuesday as it criticised former Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudi for 'misusing' free speech and questioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The HC uestioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. (File photo) A single bench of justice P Velmurugan reminded Ponmudi, who had to resign from the cabinet on April 27 following the outrage over his remarks, that politicians were not above the law. The court also decided to keep pending its suo motu proceedings against the leader. 'Nowadays, all politicians, all persons making public speeches think Article 19 gives them absolute only sky is the limit. Court cannot simply be a silent spectator. There are reasonable restrictions. There are several sects, religious (public figures) should think about it, when they are in public life,' the judge remarked. '…A strong message should go. So many things are being said, as if they (politicians) are the kings of this country. Whatever they say, they think they can do no wrong. The Court cannot watch these things silently,' the judge added. Justice Velmurugan made the observations after advocate general PS Raman, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, told the court that the state police had examined over 120 complaints registered against Ponmudi following his comments. The police concluded that the former minister had not committed any offence but had merely 'repeated something that had been said decades ago.' Therefore, the police had decided to 'close all complaints' against Ponmudi in the case, Raman told the court. During an event on April 8 this year, Ponmudi had recited a joke linking the religious forehead markings of Shaivites and Vaishnavites to sexual positions, provoking widespread outrage. The joke also referenced a sex worker, drawing further condemnation. Soon after, justice N Anand Venkatesh of the high court initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the police to register an FIR against Ponmudi. Justice Venkatesh had noted that Ponmudi's comments were 'prima facie hate speech, derogatory to women, and offensive to religious communities.' On Tuesday, Justice Velmurugan questioned the legality of the closure of complaints at the stage of preliminary inquiry, saying police cannot decide whether the speech amounts to hate speech 'without a formal investigation.' The judge cautioned the police that if all the original complainants in the case were not informed about the closure of their cases, the court will act strictly against the state. 'We will keep the suo motu case pending. You will have to get acknowledgements from the complainants for closing their complaints. If any person comes and says they have not been served with notice before closing, this court will come down heavily,' justice Velmurugan said, listing the matter for further hearing on August 1. Ponmudi, who was removed by the DMK as the party deputy general secretary following his remarks and later dropped from the cabinet, had previously admitted to making the remarks but maintained he had just narrated a widely known anecdote. Justice Venkatesh, however, remarked at the time: 'These comments spew venom on Hindu sects and demean the moral worth of women,' adding that they may attract multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC: Where did cops get power to close 121 plaints against Ponmudy?
Chennai: From where did the Tamil Nadu police draw power to close all 112 complaints against former DMK minister K Ponmudy for his alleged derogatory statements against women, Shaivites, and Vaishnavites, asked Madras high court on Tuesday. In response, advocate general P S Raman submitted that all the cases were closed after following due process by conducting a preliminary inquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It was concluded that the speech did not amount to hate speech; therefore, the complaints were closed, the AG added. The remedy available to the complainants does not end here. Under BNSS, they have an option to appeal to the inspector general and the DGP if they are not satisfied with the findings of the investigating officer, AG said. In response to the AG's claim that the former minister was just quoting an incident that occurred 60 years ago, Justice P Velmurugan said, "Can you (TN police) say that only the original speaker can be punished and not the subsequent speaker who made the same speech?" You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "They (politicians) cannot act like kings; the court cannot tolerate such behaviour. They must respect the public who are the victims," the judge said. "Let them (complainants) exhaust their remedies; meanwhile, we (court) will keep the contempt petition pending. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo We will watch vigilantly," Justice Velmurugan said. People in public life must understand that this country is for all and not for a particular class of citizens, he added. Asserting that he will keep the suo motu contempt open, Justice Velmurugan directed the state police to ensure that all the complainants are served with the closure notice. "If anyone comes to the court alleging that they have not been served with the closure notice, the court will be constrained to take serious action," the judge said and adjourned the hearing to Aug 1.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Madras high court questions TN police's closure of 121 complaints against former minister Ponmudy
CHENNAI: The on Tuesday questioned from where the Tamil Nadu police derived the power to pass judgments and close all 112 complaints filed against former DMK minister K Ponmudy for his alleged derogatory statements against women, Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Advocate-general P S Raman submitted that all the cases were closed after following due process by conducting a preliminary inquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It was concluded that the speech did not amount to hate speech; therefore, the complaints were closed, the AG added. In response to the AG's claim that the former minister was just quoting an incident that occurred 60 years ago, Justice P Velmurugan said, 'Can you (TN police) say that only the original speaker can be punished and not the subsequent speaker who made the same speech?' Poll Should politicians be held accountable for derogatory statements, even if quoting historical incidents? Yes, they should be accountable. No, context matters. 'They (politicians) cannot act like a king; the court cannot tolerate such behaviour. They must respect the public who are the victims,' the judge said. The remedy available to the complainants does not end here. Under the BNSS, they have an option to appeal to the inspector of general and the DGP if they are not satisfied with the findings of the investigating officer, the AG said. 'Let them (complainants) exhaust their remedies. Meanwhile, we (court) will keep the contempt petition pending. We will watch vigilantly,' Justice Velmurugan said. 'Nowadays, all the people think that the sky is the limit for them; we cannot be silent spectators. We are living in a democratic country; they (politicians) are bound to follow the constitution,' the judge said. People in public life must understand that this country is for all and not for a particular class of citizens, he added. Asserting that he will keep the suo motu contempt open, Justice Velmurugan directed the state police to ensure that all the complainants are served with the closure notice. 'If anyone comes to the court alleging that they have not been served with the closure notice, the court will be constrained to take serious action,' the judge said and adjourned the hearing to August 1.
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
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ponmudy case: Politicians in power should not consider themselves kings and queens, says Madras High Court
Politicians in power should not consider themselves kings and queens and expect sovereign immunity under the legal maxim rex no potest peccare (the king can do no wrong), said Justice P. Velmurugan of the Madras High Court on Tuesday (July 8, 2025). He made the observation when Advocate General (A-G) P.S. Raman said, the Tamil Nadu police had closed all 124 complaints received against former Minister K. Ponmudy for his derogatory speech against Saivites, Vaishnavites, and women in general. Perplexed as to how such speeches could be made, Justice Velmurugan said, Justice N. Anand Venkatesh had rightly taken suo motu cognisance of the speech because, of late, politicians appeared to be crossing limits while delivering public speeches. 'They (politicians) must understand that we are living in a democratic country... Just because they get a mic, they cannot think that they can speak anything and everything... They must give respect to other persons. They are also one among the citizens,' the judge told the A-G. When the A-G pointed out that the former Minister had only recollected something that had been said in the past regarding an encounter with a sex worker, the judge asked whether it would not make it an offence to recollect such derogatory remarks in a public forum. On the A-G's submission that the complainants were not remediless and that they could always approach the higher officials in the Police department against closure of their complaints, the judge decided to keep the suo motu case pending and monitor the action of the higher-ups. Making it clear that all 124 complainants must be served with the closure reports by the jurisdictional police officers concerned, the judge decided to see how many of them would approach higher officers against the closure of their complaints and what action the officials would take. He directed the High Court Registry to list the suo motu petition for further hearing on August 1, 2025. What is the case about? Mr. Ponmudy was serving as Forest Minister when the speech was delivered at a meeting organised by Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) in Chennai on April 8, 2025. It came under severe criticism, with DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi herself condemning the speech. DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin initially relieved Mr. Ponmudy from the party post and then dropped him from the Cabinet on April 27, 2025. Justice Venkatesh had taken suo motu cognisance of the speech around the same time since he was then hearing another suo motu petition taken up against Mr. Ponmudy in connection with a disproportionate assets case. Subsequently, the matter got listed before Justice Velmurugan as he is holding the MP/MLA portfolio at present.
