Overview

• A video clip from last week’s 17th Annual Talent Parade of Vedic Scholars in Chennai is circulating online, capturing Justice Swaminathan’s address at Krishnaswamy Hall.
• In his speech, Swaminathan recounted how as a lawyer he won an appeal overturning an 18-month sentence for a Vedic scholar after finding no eyewitness had identified him as the driver.
• The judge said the case reshaped his outlook on duty, quoting “If you protect the Vedas, the Vedas will protect you” to illustrate his blend of spiritual ethics and legal practice.
• The Madras High Court has forwarded contempt allegations against Advocate S. Vanchinathan to the Chief Justice after Swaminathan labelled him a “coward” and “comedy piece” in open court.
• The renewed attention to the judge’s Vedic-infused jurisprudence has intensified discussion on evidentiary rigor and appropriate courtroom conduct.