Steps Taken To Remove Objectionable Social Media Posts Against Justice GR Swaminathan, FIRs Registered : TN DGP Tells Supreme Court
Gursimran Kaur Bakshi
1 Feb 2026 1:20 PM IST
The Tamil Nadu Police has filed a response in the Supreme Court, stating that it has taken action against those who had spread defamatory remarks against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court.
This comes after the Supreme Court, on January 28, asked the State Police to file an affidavit in a public interest litigation seeking actions against the protestors who allegedly spread defamatory remarks against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madurai bench, subsequent to his order to light the Karthigai Deepam on the Deepa Thoon (lamp pillar) at the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Hill Temple, Madurai.
With respect to objectionable social media postes, it is stated that the Cyber Crime Cell of the Greater Chennai Police registered Crime No. 14 of 2026 on January 28, 2026, under Sections 196, 221, 267, 353(1)(c), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
As per the affidavit filed by the Director General of Police, the Cyber Crime Cell under the Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police, has taken action by checking the social media for the said objectionable posts/contents and has identified various social media handles on X(formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and other platforms. In this regard, the cyber cell sent a notice to the Nodal Officers of the concerned social media intermediaries to remove the said content, block the impersonating accounts, preserve the original URL and send the identities of the handles for taking appropriate action. However, the replies are yet to be received.
The affidavit also addresses the allegation that several individuals affiliated with ruling DMK-supported parties, including the Communist parties, along with certain lawyers, have carried out illegal and unauthorised protests outside the Madras and Madurai benches.
In this regard, the Tamil Nadu police has stated that a Community Service Register has been issued and the petition is under enquiry by the Inspector of Police.
A pamphlet circulated in the name of “Ikkiya Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Madurai District” allegedly called for a siege of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on December 3, 2025. A case was registered at Tallakulam Police Station for offences under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Fifteen persons were preventively arrested, later released on bail, and the investigation is ongoing.
Another case was registered at Y. Othakadai Police Station after 37 persons allegedly obstructed traffic and public movement while protesting the judicial order relating to the Karthigai Deepam lighting matter. The accused were arrested and released on bail the same day.
Additionally, the affidavit mentions that the Director General of Police has already issued instructions in compliance with the Madras High Court's direction for the police to take immediate and effective action to ensure that no such pictorial representations, statements, or scandalising content against the Court/Judge is allowed to be circulated.
The PIL in the Supreme Court has been filed by Advocate G.S. Mani, belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that caste- and religion-based defamatory remarks have been made against Justice Swaminathan. The matter will be heard on Monday.
It may be recalled that Justice Swaminathan, on December 1, ordered management of Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple to light a lamp at a stone pillar atop the Thirupparankundram hill near a dargah, and later reprimanded the State Government for obstructing the implementation of the order.
As the Tamil Nadu Government did not implement the orders and the situation turned volatile, a contempt petition was filed for non-compliance, in which Justice Swaminathan, on December 3, allowed devotees to go to the hill and light the deepam themselves with CISF protection.
The Tamil Nadu Government filed a letter patent appeal against the contempt order. However, it was dismissed by the division bench, pursuant to which they approached the Supreme Court. Now, the division bench of the High Court has upheld the order of the Single Judge.
It may be noted that opposition MPs have also moved an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan.
Case Details: G.S. MANI v. GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU & Ors|WP(C) 536/2025
Appearances: Advocate GS Mani in person and Tamil Nadu State Counsel, Advocate Sabarish Subramanian