DMK leader Ponmudy deliberately, maliciously insulted Hinduism, says Madras HC

CHENNAI: Observing that senior DMK leader K Ponmudy deliberately insulted Hindu religion, the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed his criminal revision case challenging the Metropolitan Magistrate's order taking cognizance of a private complaint over his controversial remarks on Vaishnavism, Saivism, and women, and directed the trial court to complete the trial within six months.

Ponmudy deliberately and maliciously insulted the Hindu religion, its customs, practices and beliefs, thereby outraging the religious feelings of Hindus, said Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan. Despite being fully aware that his speech would reach a wider audience through social and electronic media, he intentionally made the remarks to promote atheist ideology, and tarnish and degrade those who did not subscribe to his ideology, the judge said.

Such speeches caused emotional hurt and wounded the religious feelings of persons belonging to the Hindu religion, he added.

Thus, a prima facie case is made out against Ponmudy for offences punishable under Sections 196 (1) (a), 299 and 302 of BNS, said the court, and added that the trial court had rightly taken cognizance of the complaint and issued summons. Hence, finding no illegality, infirmity, or procedural irregularity, Justice Ilanthiraiyan dismissed Ponmudy’s petition and directed the trial court to complete the trial within six months. A connected petition was also closed.

At an event in Chennai in April 2025, Ponmudy allegedly made some controversial remarks about Hindu sects and women. The High Court directed the State to register an FIR. But when the FIR was not filed, it initiated suo motu proceedings, observing that his comments prima facie amounted to hate speech.

When the State submitted that the complaints were investigated, but were closed for want of material evidence. Based on this, the court closed the suo motu proceedings, but granted liberty to the complainants to approach the jurisdictional Metropolitan Magistrate.

Later, Uma Anandan, a city corporation councillor belonging to the BJP, filed a private complaint before the Metropolitan Magistrate, who took cognizance and issued summons to Ponmudy.

Aggrieved by this, Ponmudy had moved the High Court with the criminal revision case.