The Telangana High Court recently quashed criminal proceedings against Tamil actor Siddharth, who was accused of posting a sexist and defamatory tweet about badminton champion Saina Nehwal in January 2022.
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi, presiding over the case, ruled in favour of Siddharth’s petition filed under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, stating that the core elements required to establish offences under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were absent.
The controversy stemmed from a tweet Siddharth posted in response to Nehwal’s remarks on a security lapse involving the Prime Minister. His tweet read, “Subtle cock champion of the world…Thank God we have protectors of India. (Sic) Shame on you #Rihanna.”
What a disgusting man, this @Actor_Siddharth pic.twitter.com/csuA9apyok
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) January 10, 2022
This triggered a social media storm following which the National Commission for Women has taken cognizance of the matter. Later, writing a letter to the DGP of Tamil Nadu
@NCWIndia has taken cognisance. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to @DGPMaharashtra for investigating & registering FIR in the matter. NCW has also written to @TwitterIndia for blocking the actor’s account & to take appropriate action against him for posting such remarks. https://t.co/pW1hT9zz6W
— NCW (@NCWIndia) January 10, 2022
Despite several women leaders and activists calling out Siddharth for his tweet, the actor has put another tweet justified his remark during the period.
Although, the court observed that the statement meant humorously was misinterpreted, and did not meet the threshold for criminal action under the alleged provisions.
The complaint was initially lodged in the XII Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Nampally, Hyderabad, by a third party, who claimed the tweet was derogatory and harmed Nehwal’s reputation. However, the High Court clarified that the complainant had no direct connection to the matter, rendering the case procedurally flawed due to lack of locus standi.
Siddharth defended his post by stating it was made in good faith and in exercise of free speech, without malicious intent. He further explained that the tweet referenced the common idiom “cock-and-bull story” and not intended as a personal insult. He also issued a clarification and apology four days after the post.
Notably, Saina Nehwal herself acknowledged Siddharth’s apology in a press statement dated 13 January 2022, and expressed satisfaction with his explanation.
Despite arguments by the state’s Assistant Public Prosecutor that the matter involved triable issues better suited for trial, the court emphasized that the investigation lacked substance. It pointed out that no witnesses, including Nehwal or Twitter representatives, had been examined to support the accusations.
The court further ruled that Section 67 of the IT Act which deals with sexually explicit content online did not apply, as the tweet lacked any sexual undertone or intent. Similarly, the alleged act did not qualify under Section 509 IPC, which requires intent to insult a woman’s modesty.
After reviewing the FIR and charge sheet, the court concluded that, even if all allegations were taken at face value, no cognizable offence had been committed. Consequently, the case against Siddharth was dismissed.
This is not the first time Siddharth has indulged in cyber-bullying and online harassment. Earlier in September 2021, the controversial actor unleashed abuses on a netizen who had questioned him.
(With Inputs From Live law)
Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
