The Madras High Court on Wednesday (7 January 2026) directed the police to seize copies of a book allegedly making personal attacks against Justice GR Swaminathan and ordered authorities to ensure that such “scandalous” publications do not take place. The Court also initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the publisher.
The directions were issued while hearing an urgent petition challenging the proposed publication. The matter came up before a Bench led by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava.
The case arose in the aftermath of a decision delivered on Tuesday by a Division Bench at Madurai, which upheld an order passed by Justice GR Swaminathan permitting the lighting of a lamp at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thirupparankundram hills near a dargah.
Appearing before the Court, Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan submitted, “One can have opinions about the judgement. But can’t call the presiding officer names.”
At this stage, the Chief Justice orally observed, “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.”
The Government Advocate informed the Bench that no book containing objectionable material or caricatures against the judiciary would be permitted to be published or circulated. Recording the submission, the Court directed the police to seize copies of the publication and asked authorities to ensure that such scandalous material does not circulate, including online.
The Court further observed, “On the basis of the material found, we are inclined to initiate suo moto contempt against 5th respondent (publisher).” It added that aggrieved persons could pursue legal remedies by way of appeals rather than making such comments.
When the ASG submitted that appeals against the judgement had already been heard and disposed of on Tuesday, the Court observed that aggrieved persons could still approach the Supreme Court of India.
“This is not the first case. Such instances are on the rise. Many people are making comments,” the Court remarked, while directing authorities to ensure that copies of the publication are not made available online. The matter has been listed after three weeks.
The petition seeking a ban on the publication was filed by advocate B Jagannath, who contended that the book mocked and cast doubts on the integrity of the judiciary.
Source: LiveLaw
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