The Madras High Court on Monday, 20 April 2026, stayed further proceedings against BJP leader K Annamalai in a criminal case arising out of his remarks on freedom fighter Muthuramalingam Thevar, as reported in Bar and Bench.
Justice M. Nirmal Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Annamalai challenging a Salem court’s decision to take cognisance of a private complaint lodged against him in the case titled K Annamalai vs Piyush.
The case originates from a speech delivered by Annamalai in which he referred to a 1956 incident at the Meenakshi Amman Temple. In the speech, he allegedly stated that Thevar had warned of a “blood abhishekam” if non-believers clashed with believers.
The complaint was filed in 2023 by an individual identified as Piyush, who contended that the claim made by Annamalai was false. The complainant argued that such remarks had the potential to provoke enmity between believers and non-believers and could disturb public tranquillity.
While taking cognisance of the complaint, the Salem Magistrate examined a video recording of the speech and observed that the remarks were not casual in nature. The Magistrate further held that the statements could promote enmity between different groups and create fear and hostility within society. The court also noted that Annamalai, being a public figure, had a higher responsibility to maintain communal harmony.
Based on these observations, the Magistrate took cognisance of offences under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code and issued summons to Annamalai.
Challenging this order, Annamalai approached the High Court seeking relief. The High Court has now stayed the proceedings before the trial court.
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