CHENNAI: The Madras High Court closed a petition seeking a ban on the sale of an alleged derogatory book about Justice GR Swaminathan at the Chennai Book Fair, after police informed the court that no such book was found during inspections, and publishers denied releasing it.
This issue arose after online advertisements claimed that a book defaming Justice Swaminathan, the judge who courted controversy after allowing the lighting of a lamp at the summit of the Thirupparankundram hill, would be released at the 49th Chennai Book Fair.
Seeking a ban on the sale of the book, P Naveenprasad from Vellore had filed a petition before the High Court. While hearing the matter, the court had earlier directed the police to seize any book that misrepresents the judge and to ensure that such a book is not displayed or sold at the book fair.
Subsequently, when the case came up for hearing again before a bench comprising Chief Justice MM Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, the police submitted a status report stating that, in compliance with the court's directions, officials conducted a thorough search at the book fair on January 7.
During searches conducted at two stalls allotted to Keezhaikaatru Publications, it was found that the concerned book was not being sold there.
The report further stated that summons were issued on January 19 and inquiries were conducted with the office-bearers of the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India and the Keezhaikaatru Publications management. They assured unequivocally that no such book was published, stocked, or in their respective stalls at the book fair.
It was also mentioned that all social media posts and caricatures published by Keezhaikaatru Publications on January 1, which criticised Justice Swaminathan, have been removed.
After recording the police report, the bench closed the petition.
