The Tamil Nadu (TN) police department has taken action against individuals who disseminated defamatory remarks against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, the state's Director General of Police (DGP) informed the Supreme Court. This action follows Justice Swaminathan's order to light the Karthigai Deepam on the Deepa Thoon (lamp pillar) at the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Hill Temple.
The DGP submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, detailing the steps taken by the state police in response to a petition alleging inadequate action against those protesting and spreading defamatory content against the judge. The court had earlier sought a response from the Tamil Nadu government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the alleged scandalous and defamatory remarks targeting Justice Swaminathan. Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale comprised the bench that issued the notice to the Tamil Nadu state authorities, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Chennai Police Commissioner, based on the PIL filed by Advocate G.S. Mani.
According to the affidavit, the Cyber Crime Wing is conducting continuous cyber patrolling to monitor and prevent the further circulation of derogatory content. The police have identified and forwarded 14 URLs on Facebook and 16 URLs on Twitter (X) for content blocking. As of the report, four Facebook URLs have been blocked, while the remaining URLs are yet to be blocked by the concerned intermediaries. The DGP has issued instructions to all Superintendents of Police in districts, Commissioners of Police in cities, and the Director General of Police, Cyber Crime Wing, to take immediate and effective action against any pictorial representations, statements, caricatures, or content that scandalizes the court or the judge.
The controversy stems from Justice Swaminathan's order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Hill Temple, a site that houses both a temple and a dargah. The judge directed that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the historic “Deepathoon” pillar, asserting that the ritual would not infringe upon the religious rights of the Muslim community. The point of contention arose from a change in custom; traditionally, the lamp was lit at a “Deepa Mandapam” near the Uchi Pillaiyar Temple, but petitioners sought to light it at the ancient Deepathoon, arguing for its historical significance and temple ownership.
The PIL argues that judges should not be subjected to street protests, political pressure, or social media intimidation for their judicial orders, as the appropriate recourse against a judicial decision is through appeal, review, or other lawful procedures. The plea also highlights that allowing protests against sitting judges could undermine judicial independence and discourage judges from performing their duties without fear. The petitioner claims to have made written legal representations and complaints to various Tamil Nadu authorities and the Cyber Crime Wing, seeking FIRs against the alleged protesters, but has received no response. The PIL seeks directions, guidelines, and enforcement measures to prevent unlawful protests against courts and judges, safeguard judicial independence, and ensure action against hate speech.
Prior to the Supreme Court's intervention, DMK and INDIA bloc MPs reportedly submitted an impeachment notice against Justice G.R. Swaminathan concerning his Thiruparankundram Hill deepam lighting order. Over 50 former judges, including retired Supreme Court justices and High Court Chief Justices, have voiced their support for Justice Swaminathan, condemning the impeachment motion. They described the motion as a "brazen attempt to browbeat judges who don't follow a particular political leaning" and warned that such actions would "cut the very roots of democracy".