Chennai

Though vulgarity on the social media is not a new thing, the Beep Song, which is reportedly about break-ups has many cuss words. Worst is the words rated as sexist, vulgar and utterly denigrating women have been beeped out, one can clearly understand them. Simbu has come out in the open and admitted that the song is his and that the music composer Anirudh has nothing to do with it. He also claimed that he had recorded various music tracks and songs with no intention of either using the same in films or releasing the same for public exploitation. He also maintains that the song was stolen from his phone and posted on the Internet by some unknown third party.

Deliberate targetting?
But the manner in which the police has been hounding for his arrest has raised many eyebrows. Many feel that the alleged offence does not augur for his arrest, especially with the actor claiming that he never released the album formally. L G Sahadevan an advocate at the Madras High Court said “It’s surprising that the Cybercrime cell in Chennai has alerted all major airports in the country to detain the actor as if they are chasing a wanted criminal on the run. The alert seems to emanate over apprehensions that the actor might leave the country. But this seems totally unwarranted at this stage when both Simbu and Anirudh have agreed to cooperate with the investigation.”

Diversionary tactic
Similar opinions have risen with many condemning the haste revealed by the police especially with them still failing to locate the IP address from which the video had emanated. The failure of both Simbu and music composer Anirudh to appear either before the Coimbatore or Chennai police yet is cited as a reason. However, Senior Counsel K. M. Vijayan says, “The hype about the whole incident seems to be more a diversionary tactic from the floods and the shoddy relief work underway. All charges against the actor are bailable and there is no immediate need for custodial questioning.” As of now he has been booked under Section 4 read with section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986, Section 509 of IPC and Section 67 of Information Technology Act, 2000. The Madras High Court on December 22 had refused to grant any interim stay on police summons and anticipatory bail to actor Simbu. The case has been adjourned to January 4, a day before the date for his personal appearance for inquiry. But would his arrest be effected before that, remains to be seen.


CLAUSES AGAINST SIMBU

• Section 4 of Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act 1986 deals with prohibition of publication or sending by post books, pamphlets etc containing indecent representation of women while Section 6 deals with penalty for such an offence, which may extend to two years of imprisonment and fine of Rs.2000 for first time offenders.   
• Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code deals with word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of any woman. Those found guilty on this count shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term, which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
• Section 67 of the Information Act deals with whoever publishes or transmits or causes to be published in electronic form, any material which is obscene. Offenders on first conviction will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

‘What has Simbu done wrong?’

‘People are capable of self regulation’

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