Overview

• The High Court maintained its suo motu petition against former DMK minister K. Ponmudi for his April remarks linking Shaivite and Vaishnavite tilaks to sexual positions.
• Justice Velmurugan criticized Tamil Nadu police for shutting all 124 complaints without registering FIRs or conducting substantive investigations.
• The court warned that failure to act on the complaints could lead to a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and ordered authorities to serve closure reports to each complainant.
• All complainants must acknowledge receipt of closure notices, and the case is listed for further hearing on August 1 to review any appeal to senior police officials.
• The proceedings underscore the judiciary’s assertive use of suo motu powers to enforce hate speech laws and hold law enforcement accountable under Article 19 limitations.