Madras HC prohibits release and circulation of Tamil book with derogatory remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan

CHENNAI: Terming it highly scandalous, the Madras high court on Wednesday prohibited the publication, sale, and circulation of a Tamil book containing derogatory remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan. The book is slated to be released at the Chennai Book Fair commencing on Jan 8.

The first bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the state police to ensure that the book published by Keezhaikaatru Publishers is not released or circulated.

The bench further initiated a suo motu contempt of court proceeding against the publisher. The court passed the order on an urgent plea moved by advocate P Naveenprasad, who alleged that the book, directed against Justice Swaminathan for his judgement in the Thirupparankundram issue, is scandalous, abusive, and derogatory.

Allowing a mention made by advocate B Jagannath seeking an urgent hearing, the bench observed that the caricature and the expressions used on the front page of the book are not only derogatory but also offensive.

During the hearing, advocate-general P S Raman submitted that the court could pass an order prohibiting the release of the book, and the same will be implemented by the state. The book fair is not organised by the state but by BAPASI, an association of book publishers, at the Nandanam YMCA Grounds from Jan 8 to 21.

“The chief minister is scheduled to inaugurate the fair. We don’t want to do that under these circumstances. We are ready to implement the orders passed by the court,” he said.