Overview
- The Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court found Sivaji Krishnamurthy guilty under IPC Sections 294(b), 504, and 505(1)(b)/505(2), acquitting him under Section 153, and levied a ₹20,000 fine.
- Reports differ on the custodial sentence, with Hindustan Times and CNBC-TV18 citing three years and The News Minute reporting two years.
- The case stems from a viral 2023 speech after Governor R. N. Ravi skipped parts of a government-approved address, with remarks targeting the Governor as well as leaders including Khushbu Sundar, E. K. Palaniswami, D. Jayakumar, and K. Annamalai.
- Khushbu Sundar welcomed the verdict as affirming justice for women, while BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the language used; a DMK figure indicated the party would abide by the ruling and decide on internal action.
- Krishnamurthy, arrested in 2023 and later bailed, is expected to appeal the conviction following earlier party suspension and subsequent reinduction.