A State government employee and a retired government staff were arrested in Tirunelveli and Chennai respectively for allegedly posting “abusive” comments on social media against the judiciary and Justice N. Kirubakaran of the Madras High Court. They had posted the comments after the judge made certain remarks reprimanding government staff and teachers recently when they boycotted work seeking better service conditions.
On Friday, Murugan, 47, of Thirumal Nagar in Tirunelveli, who is working with the government workshop at Perumalpuram, was remanded in judicial custody and lodged in Palayamkottai Central Prison for defaming the judge. He was booked under Sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 500 (defamation), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (1B) (with intent to cause or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquillity) of the Indian Penal Code.
In Chennai, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch arrested B. Subash Chandra Bose, 64, of Perungalathur, a former inspector of local and audit fund of State government. He was let off on station bail.
No to personal attack
Additional-Advocate General K. Venkataramani apprised Justice Kirubakaran about the action taken by police.
After recording his submission, the judge made it clear that no action should be taken against those who had commented on the orders without resorting to personal attacks or denigrating the majesty of the court. Justice Kirubakaran added that the police need not show any special interest in cases booked against erring individuals merely because the judiciary was affected. These cases should be investigated and dealt with like any other case.