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Taking serious note of an allegedly scandalous publication, the Madras High Court on January 7, 2026, directed the Tamil Nadu Police to seize copies of a book making personal attacks against sitting judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan and ordered authorities to ensure that such publications are not released or circulated. The Court also initiated suo motu criminal contempt proceedings against the publisher.<\/p>\n
The First Bench of the Madras High Court, led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, observed: \u201cWe are inclined to initiate suo motu criminal contempt against publishers. Emergent notice be issued to Keezhaikaatru Publishers including private notice to be served at stall in Chennai Book Fair, Nandanam.\u201d<\/p>\n
In its six-page order, the Bench said: \u201cThe matter is of serious concern and emergent attention of this Court has been brought to the notice through this petition, wherein it has been stated in affidavit that the Publisher and persons associated with them are going to release a book, which contains a title with specific name of a sitting Judge of this Court in extremely derogatory language.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Court recorded submissions by counsel for the petitioner that a copy of the title page\/front page of the proposed book was already being circulated in the media, including on social media platforms, and had been placed on record for the Court\u2019s perusal.<\/p>\n
After examining the material, the judges noted: \u201cHaving perused the said document, which is said to be the title page\/front page of the book proposed to be released\/published on 08th January at the opening of Chennai Book Fair, at once, would show that the pictorial representation, the caricature and the expressions\/words used are not only highly derogatory, but virtually abusive. The pictorial representation directly points out with face and name of a sitting Judge of this Court.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSubject: Urgent: Threat to Judicial Independence \u2013 Derogatory Book by Keelaikkatru Publishing Defaming Hon’ble Justice G.R. Swaminathan as \u201cRSS Rowdy?\u201d \u2013 Contempt, Criminal Defamation & Caricature Displayed at 49th Chennai Book Fair (Stalls 172\u2013173) \u2013 Immediate FIR,\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/7mmE0kCIU1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wsYwULHdiL<\/a><\/p>\n