CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has reserved its orders to February 12 on the petition filed by AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP CVe Shanmugam challenging the directive issued by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women recommending criminal action against him for allegedly making controversial remarks about women.
While participating in an AIADMK booth committee training meeting in Villupuram, the former minister made remarks against women that sparked controversy. Following this, two women, Pramila and Radhika of Chennai, filed a complaint with the State Women's Commission.
The Commission issued a summons to the former minister and then directed the DGP to initiate criminal proceedings against him on November 11, claiming he had not appeared for the inquiry. The MP filed a petition at the High Court seeking to quash the order.
When the petition came up for hearing before Justice AD Jagadish Chandira, counsel Riyaz, appearing for Shanmugam, contended that the summons issued by the Commission directing him to appear did not contain any details of the complaint.
It was argued that the Chairperson had written to the DGP recommending criminal action without consulting other members of the Commission. Therefore, the Commission's order ought to be quashed, the counsel said.
Opposing the plea, the police submitted that there was no legal requirement to mention the details of the complaint in the summons issued by the Commission.
It was also pointed out that the Commission had merely made a recommendation and that no decision had been taken yet on whether to initiate criminal proceedings.
After hearing the submissions of all sides, the Judge reserved orders on the petition and posted the matter for pronouncement on February 12.