Chennai: On July 2 the Madras High Court dismissed a petition by former DMK minister K. Ponmudi that sought to quash proceedings initiated by a private complaint. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan declined to interfere with the order of the Georgetown Metropolitan Magistrate, who had taken cognisance of allegations made by BJP councillor Uma Anandan. The court had earlier reserved its decision on June 25.
The case stems from remarks Ponmudi allegedly made in April 2025 at a Chennai event, in which he compared religious forehead marks worn by Saivites and Vaishnavites to descriptions of sexual postures. The High Court had previously directed an FIR to be registered and later began suo motu action when none was filed, viewing the comments as potential hate speech. Those proceedings ended after police reported insufficient evidence, leaving complainants free to approach a magistrate.
Anandan subsequently filed a private complaint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The magistrate found prima facie grounds under sections covering attempts to promote religious disharmony, malicious acts outraging religious feelings, and deliberate wounding of religious sentiments, and issued summons. Ponmudi challenged the order, arguing that government sanction was required before prosecution.
The councillor’s counsel maintained that the speech aimed to spread atheism and animosity toward Hinduism. An interim stay on further proceedings was granted in March, but the High Court has now allowed the case to continue.
