Madras High Court Orders Seizure Of Book Allegedly Targeting Justice GR Swaminathan, Initiates Contempt Against Publisher

While hearing an urgent petition challenging the publication of a book allegedly making personal attacks against Justice GR Swaminathan, the Madras High Court on Wednesday (January 7) directed the police to seize copies of such publication and also asked the authorities to ensure such scandalous publication does not take place. 

The Court has also initiated suo moto contempt action against the publisher.

This comes, in the wake of the decision delivered on Tuesday by the division bench at Madurai, which has upheld Justice GR Swaminathan's order directing lighting of a lamp on a at the stone pillar atop the Thiruparakundram hills near a dargah.

Appearing in the matter today, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan submitted before the bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava , "One can have opinions about the judgement. But can't call the presiding officer names". 

At this stage the Chief Justice orally said, "It's very serious. Making allegations. If anyone is aggrieved, they can take remedy against the order of the court. How will people see the judiciary if this is the language used (against judges). But not this kind of scandalising thing".

Meanwhile Government Advocate submitted that no such book containing materials, caricature against judiciary will be allowed to be published and circulated.

The court thereafter directed police to seize the copies of the publication and asked the authorities to ensure that such scandalous publication do not take place.

The court further said:

"On the basis of the material found, we are inclined to initiate suo moto contempt against 5th respondent (publisher)".

The court said that Aggrieved persons can make appeals (against judgment) not these comments

ASG submitted that the  appeals were already heard and disposed on Tuesday. To this the court said that the aggrieved persons can approach the Supreme Court as well. 

"This is not the first case. Such instances are on the rise. Many people are making comments," the court added. 

Asking the authorities to ensure that the copies of the scandalous publication are not made available online as well, the court listed the matter after three weeks. 

Case title: P Naveenprasad v/s Homes Secretary and Others

Case No: WP No. 608 of 2026

Counsel for petitioner: Advocate B Jagannath

Counsel for Respondents: Mr.E.Vijay Anand Addl. Govt. Pleader, Mr.Ar.L.Sundaresan Addl. Solicitor General Of India Assisted By Mr.A.Kumaraguru Mr.V.Chandrasekaran Dr.G.Babu And Mr.B.Sudhir Kumar

Click Here To Read/Download The Order