CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Police have submitted a report before the Madras High Court strict action will be taken if any book that is derogatory towards Justice GR Swaminathan is published.
This issue arose after the online advertisements claiming that a book insulting Justice GR Swaminathan, who delivered a judgment related to the lighting of a lamp at the summit of the Tiruparankundram hill, would be released at the 49th Chennai Book Fair.
Seeking a ban on the sale of this book, P Naveenprasad from Vellore had filed a petition before the Madras High Court.
The case came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice MM Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan. The police submitted a status report, which stated they conducted a detailed search at the book fair, in compliance with the court's directions. 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.
The police also assured stringent action per law if any books on the judge were found to be published, stocked or sold in the future at any premise or on any electronic device. After recording the police report, the judges adjourned the hearing of the case to February 4.