Supreme Court seeks TN’s response to PIL over remarks against Madras HC Justice GR Swaminathan

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Tamil Nadu government's response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking action against protesters who allegedly made defamatory remarks targeting Madras High Court Judge Justice GR Swaminathan following his order in the Karthigai Deepam case [GS Mani v. Govt. of Tamil Nadu and ors].

A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale has sought a status report from the State of Tamil Nadu to ascertain what steps were taken in the matter.

Standing Counsel, Advocate Sabarish Subramanian, accepted notice for the Tamil Nadu government.

“Issue notice. Learned Standing Counsel Shri Sabarish, appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, accepts notice. He is permitted to file a status report with regard to the steps taken pursuant to the representation/complaint made by the petitioner dated 06.12.2025 and 08.12.202,” the Court's order said.

The PIL petition has been filed by advocate GS Mani, a BJP leader, alleging that DMK-supported political parties, including certain Communist parties, and some individuals recently staged unauthorised protests within the Madras High Court premises at Chennai and Madurai, targeting Justice Swaminathan.

During the hearing today, Advocate GS Mani, appearing in person, submitted that a campaign was being carried out to malign Justice Swaminathan, with protesters allegedly attempting to hold demonstrations near the Madras High Court.

He informed the top court that representations had been submitted to the authorities in this regard, but no action followed.

“Whenever we complain about these types of grievances, the police do not consider them at all… If someone raises a voice against the government, immediately, even at midnight, they arrest. This is happening in Tamil Nadu. In front of the High Court, they are protesting, even the police is watching,” Mani submitted.

In response to the Court's queries, Advocate Sabarish Subramanian, appearing for the Tamil government, informed that the State has acted on the representations referred to.

He said that the Chennai Police Commissioner has written to service providers, including X (Twitter) and YouTube, requesting preservation of the relevant URLs. A Community Service Register (CSR) entry has also been registered, Subramanian added.

Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice to the State of Tamil Nadu and directed it to file a status report detailing the steps taken.

The plea will be heard next on February 2.

The matter is tied to orders passed by Justice Swaminathan in the Thiruparankundram hillock case.

In the said case, Justice Swaminathan ruled in favour of lighting a Karthigai Deepam (lamp to mark the Hindu festival of lights) at a stone pillar atop the sacred hillock, which houses both a temple and a mosque.

The judge ruled that the stone pillar was a deepathoon, meant to light lamps. He added that lighting the lamp at the deepathoon would not violate the rights of the nearby mosque or Muslims in anyway, since the deepathoon lay on a part of the hillock that belonged to the temple.

The plea before the top court contends that following this ruling, defamatory news reports and social media posts targeting Justice Swaminathan were circulated through various social media outlets.

It seeks directions to the Tamil Nadu government and police authorities to initiate strict legal action against those allegedly responsible for making such defamatory comments.

[Live Coverage]