Madras High Court orders case against Tamil Nadu minister Ponmudy over controversial remarks on women

The Madras High Court bench on Thursday order the police to register a case and proceed with investigation on state Forest Minister K Ponmudy over controversial remarks on women and Hinduism, reported PTI.

The HC bench, led by Justice N Anand Venkatesh, even warned Tamil Nadu police to either file FIR against TN minister Ponmudy or else the court will initiate suo motu (on its own) contempt against them.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh, who gave the warning to the police, said, as quoted by the PTI, "now the court has taken cognizance of the matter. Even if you do not have a complaint, register a case and proceed with the investigation."

Justice Anand Venkatesh expressed concern over the remarks made by the DMK leader, when the suo motu revision case against Ponmudy relating to a disproportionate wealth case came up for hearing.

Earlier in the day, the judge asked the Advocate General to get instructions from DGP as to whether any FIR was registered against Ponmudy and posted the case to this evening.

Advocate general P S Raman submitted that the police have received five complaints and that they will investigate and register FIR.

The judge said, "If they don't register FIR, I will initiate suo motu contempt".

"Now, the court has taken cognizance of the matter. Even If they do not have a complaint, register a case and proceed with the investigation," the judge added.

The judge said the damaging video was continuing. "We do not know when it will flare up". There was no escape from this.

The police need not register multiple FIRs and one FIR was enough, the judge added.

The court said holding that position, Ponmudy should not have made such remarks. In the future, nobody should do it, he said.

The HC judge posted to April 23, further hearing of the suo motu proceedings.

What is the case?

Recently, Ponmudy sparked a row with his Shaivism-Vaishnavism remarks, which he made in the context of a sex worker at a public meeting. This drew widespread criticism, including from his own party MP Kanimozhi.

Following this, DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin had removed Ponmudy as DMK deputy general secretary, despite the senior leader later tendered an apology for his "inappropriate remarks."

With ageny inputs.