CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered the seizure of a book written against Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court.
The case arose from an announcement that a book criticising Justice GR Swaminathan, referring to the Tiruparankundram Temple issue, would be sold at the 49th Chennai Book Fair.
Claiming that the contents of the book would scandalise the reputation of the judge, P Naveenprasad from Vellore filed a case seeking a ban on its sale.
In his petition, he stated that allowing the sale of such a book at the book fair would amount to interference with the administration of justice. He also said that although he had submitted a representation to the government requesting that the book not be sold, no action had been taken. Therefore, he sought an order to seize the book and ban its sale.
When the case came up for hearing before Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, Additional Solicitor General of India Ar L Sundaresan said that if this was the title of a book, it was apparently derogatory, abusive, and highly contemptuous, as it tended to scandalise the Court and erode public confidence in the system.
Counsel also said that the book contained defamatory content and that action could be taken based on the available records.
Interrupting, the Chief Justice remarked that highly defamatory and damaging words had been used.
He observed that an inquiry should have been conducted on the complaint received and questioned whether the court must now issue directions to do so.
Questioning about what action had been taken based on the complaint, and how permission had been granted to sell such a book at the fair, they further stated that such acts cannot be permitted at an intellectual platform like a book fair.
Appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, Advocate General PS Raman said that the book fair would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Thursday, and that the Chief Minister would not approve such activities.
He added that the fair was not organised by the government but by publishers, and assured the court that the book would not be sold there and that the police would act accordingly.
Following this, the judges initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the publisher, Keezhaikaatru Publications, and directed them to respond within three weeks.
The judges also ordered that appropriate action shall be taken by the police authorities to ensure that such scandalous publications do not take place, including seizure of pictorial representations and such content through any means, including electronic media, and adjourned the hearing for three weeks.