Overview
- A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP and the Chennai Police Commissioner, seeking a status report on steps taken on December representations.
- The petition by advocate G.S. Mani alleges caste- and religion-based defamatory remarks and unlawful demonstrations against Justice G.R. Swaminathan following his Deepam-related orders.
- The plea asks for criminal action against alleged offenders and measures to protect judicial independence, stressing that challenges to rulings must proceed through lawful remedies.
- Tamil Nadu’s counsel said police have acted, noting the Chennai Police Commissioner asked service providers to preserve URLs and user details tied to the alleged defamatory content.
- The dispute stems from Justice Swaminathan’s December 1 and 3 directions permitting the Karthigai Deepam lighting at Thirupparankundram with CISF protection, while the current PIL focuses on protests and alleged defamation rather than those orders’ merits.